She heard the footsteps before she saw the man. She had drifted into another light daze, resting her head against the wall and closing her eyes. Staying awake served no purpose since there was nothing to distract her thoughts, and her body was still demanding rest.
She had also finally noticed the aching hunger in her abdomen, and staying awake only gave her stomach a higher chance of reminding her of this ache. Often, and with great abandon.
She'd decided against calling out for a jailer, for she didn't want to be told no if she asked for food and water. She hadn't eaten anything in nearly three full days now - and she doubted that anyone in this place would care.
And so she dozed lightly, leaning against the bare wall for support. There was hardly any sound save for her own breath, and thus it continued for a few hours.
But the footsteps brought her fully awake once more, alert to the presence of some stranger approaching. Or perhaps the guard from before? She didn't understand that she sat far outside of any guard's responsibilities in this place, and was a foreigner to boot.
She allowed herself a moment's surprise when the old man came into view, but she was too even-tempered to let her surprise show on her face. She'd been expecting someone younger, more domineering, and perhaps in better shape. This elder barely looked like he could hold his own weight up - save for the eyes.
She gazed back at him in silence. His comment made her want to defend herself, to scream obscenities in his face and curse this forsaken realm and every inhabitant therein - but she would never spout such things, for it was not her way. She wondered if he expected this kind of reaction. If he was the jailer here, he'd undoubtedly met many prisoners who had insisted about their innocence, cursed his name, begged for mercy.
She realized with a start that she didn't want to speak with him. He could stand there, waiting for a response, but she didn't want to chat with this man. And so she sat, quiet and placid, and waited for him to say something further. If he didn't, she would simply close her eyes again...and continue waiting.
The Moral Equation
Judge Moryldar narrowed his eyes and studied her silence. He had expected her to react somehow. When they brought in foreigners, especially women, they always protested. In his forty-plus years of service the only ones he encountered who were silent when they were first brought in were the ones to pay attention to.
He didn't think she was a mage or that she was guilty of any real crimes, so why didn't she speak up?
"You brought some interesting company when you came to our city to hide. I'm faced with an interesting quandary. Do I hand you over to him, or do I keep you here and try you for breaking our laws?"
He didn't think she was a mage or that she was guilty of any real crimes, so why didn't she speak up?
"You brought some interesting company when you came to our city to hide. I'm faced with an interesting quandary. Do I hand you over to him, or do I keep you here and try you for breaking our laws?"
Let the tomes be your guide.
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Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
Company? Who could he mean? Surely not Lucian - he was a native here, as far as she knew. Wolfhound had been taken into custody, and was no where to be found. She knew that this city would never do business with the likes of him. There was only one other.
The memory of death hovering above her with cold steel eyes jolted her to full alert, and her eyes widened as she stared up at this cold man. He knew how to wield a mental knife quite effectively; she wouldn't stand a chance if he attacked her. He'd gotten her attention with his comment, and it took her only a few seconds to realize who he must be referring to. There was only one male whose presence had accompanied her own into this wretched place that would need her to be handed over.
"The assassin," she murmured. "Who else could it be but the assassin?" She did not speak further, too busy fighting the rising fear within her. Goose bumps rippled along her arms, and she shivered.
She couldn't think of anything else to say. What could she do? Beg for this man's mercy? Either she would die at the assassin's merciless hand, or be handed over for their clearly twisted form of justice. She doubted anything she said would sway this man's opinion. Was he just trying to get a rise from her, to force her hand? She was tired, recently healed but lacking the nutrients needed for her body to replenish. Her throat was dry from the lack of both food and water; and oh, how her knee ached!
She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes, breaking contact with the man standing before her. She had no intention of debating her innocence or trying to bargain with him. But he was, after all, the only person she'd seen in several hours.
Never hurt to ask.
"May I have something to eat?"
The memory of death hovering above her with cold steel eyes jolted her to full alert, and her eyes widened as she stared up at this cold man. He knew how to wield a mental knife quite effectively; she wouldn't stand a chance if he attacked her. He'd gotten her attention with his comment, and it took her only a few seconds to realize who he must be referring to. There was only one male whose presence had accompanied her own into this wretched place that would need her to be handed over.
"The assassin," she murmured. "Who else could it be but the assassin?" She did not speak further, too busy fighting the rising fear within her. Goose bumps rippled along her arms, and she shivered.
She couldn't think of anything else to say. What could she do? Beg for this man's mercy? Either she would die at the assassin's merciless hand, or be handed over for their clearly twisted form of justice. She doubted anything she said would sway this man's opinion. Was he just trying to get a rise from her, to force her hand? She was tired, recently healed but lacking the nutrients needed for her body to replenish. Her throat was dry from the lack of both food and water; and oh, how her knee ached!
She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes, breaking contact with the man standing before her. She had no intention of debating her innocence or trying to bargain with him. But he was, after all, the only person she'd seen in several hours.
Never hurt to ask.
"May I have something to eat?"
Her reaction, when she finally figured out who he was talking about, was full of surprise and fear. Moryldar knew fear. He could smell it on people. The girl was apathetic when she was alone in the cell, apathetic when he arrived to examine her, but she was afraid of the assassin.
Moryldar was insulted.
How could she be more afraid of some petty assassin, a hired hand bought off by coin to hunt her down like a dog, than she was of a Judge of Marn? Whatever Dennison could do to her, Moryldar would do ten times worse. It was ignorant. It was foolish. It was audacious. The judges were the real terror, not thugs and assassins. She had to know that, and he was going to see to it that she learned.
"May I have something to eat?" she asked.
He smiled slowly, bitterly.
"Tell me everything you know about the assassin, starting with his name, and then we will see about your requests."
Moryldar was insulted.
How could she be more afraid of some petty assassin, a hired hand bought off by coin to hunt her down like a dog, than she was of a Judge of Marn? Whatever Dennison could do to her, Moryldar would do ten times worse. It was ignorant. It was foolish. It was audacious. The judges were the real terror, not thugs and assassins. She had to know that, and he was going to see to it that she learned.
"May I have something to eat?" she asked.
He smiled slowly, bitterly.
"Tell me everything you know about the assassin, starting with his name, and then we will see about your requests."
Let the tomes be your guide.
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Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
That was a no. She heard it in his embittered tone, saw it in those glassy eyes. Just as she'd suspected, this man didn't care. And why should he? She was a runaway prisoner, one who would take the first chance of escape despite knowing that no chance would come. She was helpless in every way - no innate powers save for the voice which now cracked and grated because of a dry throat, and the ability to thrum a guitar. And even if they left the path open for her, allowed her a real chance to escape...her leg wouldn't allow it, nor would her malnourished and faint body. She was trapped, a true prisoner.
She'd opened her eyes when he asked his question, but only long enough to see his deadpan stare before closing her eyes again. She was tired, so tired. With her eyes closed the world fell away, and she hardly remembered where she was, or that her bottom ached from sitting down so much for so long, or that she was alone with nothing to her name save for borrowed clothes.
Not alone. Wake up. Open your eyes.
Her body jolted as she snapped awake and opened her eyes to refocus on the elder before her. It took several blinks, a shake of the head, but she was back again. She hadn't been asleep for more than a few moments, but it was enough to cause a long silence while she tried to remember what this man wanted, and...his question. About the assassin. What did she know?
"I..."
She flinched and hissed as a pain shot up from her knee. As she curled around the wound, it reawakened her logic and reason, and she laid back with a sigh to close her eyes once more.
"I know that he's an assassin with..." Cold steel staring into her death. "...With blue eyes."
Her voice was naturally husky, but without moisture it rippled and sounded sandy.
"I don't know his name...or anything about him."
It was nearly a lie. She knew that the man could manipulate shadows in some way, or perhaps blend with them. And his weapons were hidden in darkness as well. She remembered that she hadn't seen what pinned her cloak to the door, back in that cursed tavern. But her tongue was starting to dry out, and she began to feel parched. She needed water to survive; she needed food as well. Speaking was already a chore; now it was starting to become painful.
She wouldn't beg. But...
"May I please just...have some water?"
She'd opened her eyes when he asked his question, but only long enough to see his deadpan stare before closing her eyes again. She was tired, so tired. With her eyes closed the world fell away, and she hardly remembered where she was, or that her bottom ached from sitting down so much for so long, or that she was alone with nothing to her name save for borrowed clothes.
Not alone. Wake up. Open your eyes.
Her body jolted as she snapped awake and opened her eyes to refocus on the elder before her. It took several blinks, a shake of the head, but she was back again. She hadn't been asleep for more than a few moments, but it was enough to cause a long silence while she tried to remember what this man wanted, and...his question. About the assassin. What did she know?
"I..."
She flinched and hissed as a pain shot up from her knee. As she curled around the wound, it reawakened her logic and reason, and she laid back with a sigh to close her eyes once more.
"I know that he's an assassin with..." Cold steel staring into her death. "...With blue eyes."
Her voice was naturally husky, but without moisture it rippled and sounded sandy.
"I don't know his name...or anything about him."
It was nearly a lie. She knew that the man could manipulate shadows in some way, or perhaps blend with them. And his weapons were hidden in darkness as well. She remembered that she hadn't seen what pinned her cloak to the door, back in that cursed tavern. But her tongue was starting to dry out, and she began to feel parched. She needed water to survive; she needed food as well. Speaking was already a chore; now it was starting to become painful.
She wouldn't beg. But...
"May I please just...have some water?"
The judge wasn't satisfied at all. It didn't matter whether she was telling the truth or not. What mattered was that she wasn't giving him any information that was useful to him.
He didn't care if she lived or died, but he had to find out if she knew anything more about Dennison than he did. The vampire would find out more, to be sure, but Moryldar wanted to know for himself. That meant keeping her alive until he was satisfied she'd given him everything. He signaled to the porter mentally to bring some water.
"Who hired him? How long has he been chasing you? Where did you come from?"
He grasped the bars with age spotted hands and leaned into them, staring at her hard.
"Tell me everything, girl, or I'll make you wish he was here."
He didn't care if she lived or died, but he had to find out if she knew anything more about Dennison than he did. The vampire would find out more, to be sure, but Moryldar wanted to know for himself. That meant keeping her alive until he was satisfied she'd given him everything. He signaled to the porter mentally to bring some water.
"Who hired him? How long has he been chasing you? Where did you come from?"
He grasped the bars with age spotted hands and leaned into them, staring at her hard.
"Tell me everything, girl, or I'll make you wish he was here."
Let the tomes be your guide.
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Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
Lanya stared in shock as the man leaned into her. His tone of voice hadn't been friendly before, but how it was downright hostile and making his threat clear. His focus was intent and made her uneasy. She hated to be the center of attention, and right now, there was no one else to take his focus off of her.
She shifted, and would have squirmed save for her desire to stay as still as possible. She didn't know what to do with this threat, or what she could say to drive him away, or at least stop menacing her. He hadn't done anything directly to her, but she didn't know how to make sure things stayed that way.
She was afraid of him, but only for the power he represented. She didn't understand at all what he could physically do to her, but she did believe the threat. The blatant malice in his posture and tone was enough to convince her to tread lightly.
She waited a long moment before answering, and she spoke softly, head down.
"I have. I know nothing about him, save that he was hired for my death. I don't know who, or why. I'm just...just a travelling bard, that's all. I only arrived in this place a few days hence, and he has been following me for those few days."
Another truth with some lie tossed in. She honestly didn't know who had hired the man, for she'd never known the girl's name nor heard her title.
A thought came to her, and she raised her gaze to the man's cold eyes.
"There was a man, a wolf-like creature who decided himself my protector. Is he...is he here?"
She straightened a bit.
"And another, a deaf man. His name was Lucian, and he helped me in the woods, set my knee for me. Please, is he here? Are they alright?"
She remembered watching the mage torture Lucian to his knees, and worried about how he was faring. She felt light-headed and tired, and thus brave enough to at least ask about the two men.
She shifted, and would have squirmed save for her desire to stay as still as possible. She didn't know what to do with this threat, or what she could say to drive him away, or at least stop menacing her. He hadn't done anything directly to her, but she didn't know how to make sure things stayed that way.
She was afraid of him, but only for the power he represented. She didn't understand at all what he could physically do to her, but she did believe the threat. The blatant malice in his posture and tone was enough to convince her to tread lightly.
She waited a long moment before answering, and she spoke softly, head down.
"I have. I know nothing about him, save that he was hired for my death. I don't know who, or why. I'm just...just a travelling bard, that's all. I only arrived in this place a few days hence, and he has been following me for those few days."
Another truth with some lie tossed in. She honestly didn't know who had hired the man, for she'd never known the girl's name nor heard her title.
A thought came to her, and she raised her gaze to the man's cold eyes.
"There was a man, a wolf-like creature who decided himself my protector. Is he...is he here?"
She straightened a bit.
"And another, a deaf man. His name was Lucian, and he helped me in the woods, set my knee for me. Please, is he here? Are they alright?"
She remembered watching the mage torture Lucian to his knees, and worried about how he was faring. She felt light-headed and tired, and thus brave enough to at least ask about the two men.
Moryldar believed her, but it wasn't enough to satiate him. If there was the tiniest drop of information she was forgetting, he was going to squeeze it out of her before she died - and die she would. Dennison's loose ends had to be tied up.
"The wolf creature is dead. He refused to cooperate with us and was beheaded." He enjoyed telling her this for some twisted reason. "I would venture to guess your deaf friend is also dead, if he was anything like the wolf thing."
He hadn't heard anything from Ryxa since he sent her with Camulous, and was becoming suspicious that something went wrong. The porter would stay in touch with her though, and if she died Moryldar would be one of the first to know. So far, it didn't matter.
He let go of the bars and started to walk away, speaking over his shoulder to her, voice echoing hollow off the walls.
"I suggest you get comfortable witch, you may be here a long time."
He didn't turn back. He'd learned what he needed to know about her. Only her trial was left, and the initiation of Dennison into the fold.
"The wolf creature is dead. He refused to cooperate with us and was beheaded." He enjoyed telling her this for some twisted reason. "I would venture to guess your deaf friend is also dead, if he was anything like the wolf thing."
He hadn't heard anything from Ryxa since he sent her with Camulous, and was becoming suspicious that something went wrong. The porter would stay in touch with her though, and if she died Moryldar would be one of the first to know. So far, it didn't matter.
He let go of the bars and started to walk away, speaking over his shoulder to her, voice echoing hollow off the walls.
"I suggest you get comfortable witch, you may be here a long time."
He didn't turn back. He'd learned what he needed to know about her. Only her trial was left, and the initiation of Dennison into the fold.
Let the tomes be your guide.
-
Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
"Beheaded."
The statement was dead along with her voice. Her eyes glazed as something roared behind her ears. Killed. They'd killed Wolfhound. Who had only been trying to protect her to the best of his limited abilities. Grief welled in her eyes and throat; the bard was stunned into silence for several long moments, and hardly heard the man's parting shot. Her brain was humming; something she'd missed had snapped into place, and she wouldn't be satisfied until she'd investigated it.
He'd said hand you over to him when speaking of the assassin. But how could you hand a prisoner over to another prisoner? The guard who'd brought her here said they had the assassin in custody, but...
Her eyes raised to look around. She couldn't see far, to be sure, but there was no need to talk about the assassin in third person if he were present, another prisoner.
Which meant he wasn't a prisoner at all. And the guard didn't know.
But why? What could they possibly use the assassin for? Surely not just for her - here she sat, ready for the slaughter, and the assassin was nowhere to be seen. So there was something else far more important than her pathetic life that they made priority, and were using the assassin to get to.
They'd struck a deal with him. It was plain as day now that she knew the truth. They'd made a deal and released the assassin to do their bidding, in exchange for her life. A loose end to destroy, so that the assassin could dedicate himself to them. And what would sway the assassin from an assassin's life of killing for pay? More money. They'd offered him money - no, that didn't seem right. A higher bounty wouldn't be enough. They'd offered him...a position.
The mage in the woods had been under the city's employ. Now the assassin would join their ranks.
And the guard didn't know.
Which meant the mages and the city guard were separated somehow, only worked in tandem when ordered to do so.
She squeezed her eyes shut as the enormity of it hit her, and tears burned their way down her cheeks. She'd known she would die in this place, but she had taken some solace in knowing that it wouldn't be by the assassin's brutal hand. Now...now even if they killed her, it was because of him.
It was too much. It was too monstrous. She refused to believe it. It wasn't possible - that guard was misguided, but honorable. No honorable city would hire an assassin and slaughter an innocent in the process...
She had to be sure.
Her voice shook for the restrained tears, but she called out to the man, in case he were still in the building.
"The guard who brought me earlier told me the assassin was in custody, would be treated to the same gracious hosting as myself."
She paused. How could she get an answer to her question? This man wouldn't give her a straight answer unless it hurt her in some way. He enjoyed coiling a noose of words about his victim's throat. A statement, then. Something he could refute or agree with.
"He was mistaken, but not because the assassin's not here. No - you've struck a deal with him. His services for me."
She was sure of it, saying it out loud. She didn't need the man's words any longer; she was positive that she was correct.
It didn't lift her spirits.
The statement was dead along with her voice. Her eyes glazed as something roared behind her ears. Killed. They'd killed Wolfhound. Who had only been trying to protect her to the best of his limited abilities. Grief welled in her eyes and throat; the bard was stunned into silence for several long moments, and hardly heard the man's parting shot. Her brain was humming; something she'd missed had snapped into place, and she wouldn't be satisfied until she'd investigated it.
He'd said hand you over to him when speaking of the assassin. But how could you hand a prisoner over to another prisoner? The guard who'd brought her here said they had the assassin in custody, but...
Her eyes raised to look around. She couldn't see far, to be sure, but there was no need to talk about the assassin in third person if he were present, another prisoner.
Which meant he wasn't a prisoner at all. And the guard didn't know.
But why? What could they possibly use the assassin for? Surely not just for her - here she sat, ready for the slaughter, and the assassin was nowhere to be seen. So there was something else far more important than her pathetic life that they made priority, and were using the assassin to get to.
They'd struck a deal with him. It was plain as day now that she knew the truth. They'd made a deal and released the assassin to do their bidding, in exchange for her life. A loose end to destroy, so that the assassin could dedicate himself to them. And what would sway the assassin from an assassin's life of killing for pay? More money. They'd offered him money - no, that didn't seem right. A higher bounty wouldn't be enough. They'd offered him...a position.
The mage in the woods had been under the city's employ. Now the assassin would join their ranks.
And the guard didn't know.
Which meant the mages and the city guard were separated somehow, only worked in tandem when ordered to do so.
She squeezed her eyes shut as the enormity of it hit her, and tears burned their way down her cheeks. She'd known she would die in this place, but she had taken some solace in knowing that it wouldn't be by the assassin's brutal hand. Now...now even if they killed her, it was because of him.
It was too much. It was too monstrous. She refused to believe it. It wasn't possible - that guard was misguided, but honorable. No honorable city would hire an assassin and slaughter an innocent in the process...
She had to be sure.
Her voice shook for the restrained tears, but she called out to the man, in case he were still in the building.
"The guard who brought me earlier told me the assassin was in custody, would be treated to the same gracious hosting as myself."
She paused. How could she get an answer to her question? This man wouldn't give her a straight answer unless it hurt her in some way. He enjoyed coiling a noose of words about his victim's throat. A statement, then. Something he could refute or agree with.
"He was mistaken, but not because the assassin's not here. No - you've struck a deal with him. His services for me."
She was sure of it, saying it out loud. She didn't need the man's words any longer; she was positive that she was correct.
It didn't lift her spirits.
Moryldar stopped at the exit to the cells and turned around. She'd thrown him a curve ball he wasn't prepared for. The fact that the weak little creature in the cell had it all figured out didn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. It only meant that she had to die all the sooner.
What mattered more was Camulous. The captain had been the one sent out to retrieve her along with Ryxa, who had het to return. How much did he know or care about her? She could do nothing, but the Captain was another story.
He had to find out. If she was innocent and Camulous knew...
"This guardsman who brought you, what did he look like?"
He started approaching the cell again in his haste, caught himself, tried to look more apathetic. She didn't need to know it mattered.
What mattered more was Camulous. The captain had been the one sent out to retrieve her along with Ryxa, who had het to return. How much did he know or care about her? She could do nothing, but the Captain was another story.
He had to find out. If she was innocent and Camulous knew...
"This guardsman who brought you, what did he look like?"
He started approaching the cell again in his haste, caught himself, tried to look more apathetic. She didn't need to know it mattered.
Let the tomes be your guide.
-
Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
It had been enough to grab his attention after all - but he didn't focus on the detail she'd thought he would. And Lanya, for all that she was helpless and in pain, was no fool. Something had mattered from what she'd said.
It wouldn't do to try and bargain her information. It wasn't something only she had access to; he could ask those at the infirmary, or at the entrance of this place. But it still mattered, which meant the person himself mattered.
She met the old man's eyes steadily, let him see that she was calculating her response. She decided on just being blunt; she wouldn't ask why it mattered. This man would never tell. But that it did matter was vital information that she stored away for future reference.
"Young looking, with blue eyes and blond hair. Curly, like - and high principles. He debated city code with me on the way here."
It wouldn't do to try and bargain her information. It wasn't something only she had access to; he could ask those at the infirmary, or at the entrance of this place. But it still mattered, which meant the person himself mattered.
She met the old man's eyes steadily, let him see that she was calculating her response. She decided on just being blunt; she wouldn't ask why it mattered. This man would never tell. But that it did matter was vital information that she stored away for future reference.
"Young looking, with blue eyes and blond hair. Curly, like - and high principles. He debated city code with me on the way here."
Moryldar grumbled to himself before she even finished giving the description. It was obviously not what he wanted to hear, and furthermore that he had been spouting his honor code and policies to her on the way was not a good sign.
Camulous was the one who reported Dennison as a mage and a troublemaker, and now he knew the truth about this girl he was after. She was obviously harmless, and probably innocent of any Marnian crimes.
She was just the kind of poor, helpless creature Camulous would take a liking to. Bringing her here was in itself a display of his determination to stick to the tomes.
Brin was going to have to find a good reason to kill her now. She had to be framed for something. Bribing the scryers wouldn't be enough. The others would figure it out...
"You say you have no magic, girl. Why, then," he narrowed his eyes, "would everyone else think that you do?"
Camulous was the one who reported Dennison as a mage and a troublemaker, and now he knew the truth about this girl he was after. She was obviously harmless, and probably innocent of any Marnian crimes.
She was just the kind of poor, helpless creature Camulous would take a liking to. Bringing her here was in itself a display of his determination to stick to the tomes.
Brin was going to have to find a good reason to kill her now. She had to be framed for something. Bribing the scryers wouldn't be enough. The others would figure it out...
"You say you have no magic, girl. Why, then," he narrowed his eyes, "would everyone else think that you do?"
Let the tomes be your guide.
-
Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
The elder's discontent left her satisfied in her thoughts. Whoever had brought her here was apparently the last person this man wanted to have done so. Which must mean that whoever that man was, he was more than just a guard. Someone higher up; someone who mattered.
She leaned her head back against the bare wall and cursed her battered body for its weakness. If only she hadn't been passed out for the important bits!..but there was no helping it now.
The elder had asked a question while she thought, and she took a moment to sort it out. This was the question that she would've expected far earlier - the first one, in fact, since supposedly she was here for magic use. The fact that he hadn't asked until he'd found out who brought her here spoke volumes; this was an after thought, and irrelevant detail that had only just gained importance.
An excuse to murder her.
She decided not to answer his question directly. If they had that cursed guitar somewhere in this place, she didn't want him to know its significance. She'd never longed for the thing's presence, but at the moment its warmth against her side would've been a comfort in this stone prison.
"You have people who can sense magic, don't you? Bring one. Find out for yourself."
She didn't say this with an impertinent tone; she was stating a fact. Whatever she said had no relevance; there was an easier way for him to find out the truth, and they both knew it. So why did he ask in the first place?
She leaned her head back against the bare wall and cursed her battered body for its weakness. If only she hadn't been passed out for the important bits!..but there was no helping it now.
The elder had asked a question while she thought, and she took a moment to sort it out. This was the question that she would've expected far earlier - the first one, in fact, since supposedly she was here for magic use. The fact that he hadn't asked until he'd found out who brought her here spoke volumes; this was an after thought, and irrelevant detail that had only just gained importance.
An excuse to murder her.
She decided not to answer his question directly. If they had that cursed guitar somewhere in this place, she didn't want him to know its significance. She'd never longed for the thing's presence, but at the moment its warmth against her side would've been a comfort in this stone prison.
"You have people who can sense magic, don't you? Bring one. Find out for yourself."
She didn't say this with an impertinent tone; she was stating a fact. Whatever she said had no relevance; there was an easier way for him to find out the truth, and they both knew it. So why did he ask in the first place?
The old man's lips puckered in revulsion with her answer. She wasn't going to tell him because she was figuring things out. He was going to have to make her fear him like the locals did. She still didn't understand her situation. It was most infuriating.
"I asked you a question." He spat. "When I ask you questions, you answer them."
He looked furious, but managed to get it under control before his old heart pushed itself too far. He was going to torture her until she saw stars. She would learn the hard way what her fears really should be. The thought calmed him down visibly. He actually managed a bitter smile.
"Confessions do wonders for the soul, girl. You will confess, and learn some respect in the process, or you'll never see the sky again."
He wasn't going to get anywhere with her until he had her under the knife and he knew it. He didn't have the energy to begin another session that night. It was going to have to wait until tomorrow. Hopefully Ryxa would turn up by then, and answer him some questions too.
He turned around and started for the stairs again, placing a hand against the wall to brace himself.
"I asked you a question." He spat. "When I ask you questions, you answer them."
He looked furious, but managed to get it under control before his old heart pushed itself too far. He was going to torture her until she saw stars. She would learn the hard way what her fears really should be. The thought calmed him down visibly. He actually managed a bitter smile.
"Confessions do wonders for the soul, girl. You will confess, and learn some respect in the process, or you'll never see the sky again."
He wasn't going to get anywhere with her until he had her under the knife and he knew it. He didn't have the energy to begin another session that night. It was going to have to wait until tomorrow. Hopefully Ryxa would turn up by then, and answer him some questions too.
He turned around and started for the stairs again, placing a hand against the wall to brace himself.
Let the tomes be your guide.
-
Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
His sudden temper startled her enough that her eyes widened and she regarded him in silence. She had angered him without meaning to, and now, too late, she realized that this was a bad thing. But she could not take back what had offended him so: his lack of control.
He was used to being answered without complaint, obeyed without question. He was secure and powerful, in his element. He wanted to force something from her - something which she did not have to give. He wanted her guilt.
And she was only a woman.
He turned to leave and she did not call out after him. Any further words from her would be regarded as insolence, and would only make the situation worse. But he was right: she had no concept of, nor respect for, his position. She did not understand what he represented and what he could do to her. Despite her fear, she'd remembered the guard's words about fairness, and although she was living proof that he was wrong, she'd had a sense of blind hope that maybe, just maybe, he was right after all.
The old man's words shattered that hope. He would force a confession out of her for something, anything at all. And now she had all night to wonder just how he would do it.
She closed her eyes and was surprised to feel hot tears pushed by her eyelids to slide down her cheeks. Her situation had only gotten worse by the hour. Would this never end?
Her throat ached so...
"May I please have some water?"
A whisper into the darkness, for she refused to open her eyes and see no one. She would dream of water, and food, and perhaps gain a little satisfaction from the dream.
He was used to being answered without complaint, obeyed without question. He was secure and powerful, in his element. He wanted to force something from her - something which she did not have to give. He wanted her guilt.
And she was only a woman.
He turned to leave and she did not call out after him. Any further words from her would be regarded as insolence, and would only make the situation worse. But he was right: she had no concept of, nor respect for, his position. She did not understand what he represented and what he could do to her. Despite her fear, she'd remembered the guard's words about fairness, and although she was living proof that he was wrong, she'd had a sense of blind hope that maybe, just maybe, he was right after all.
The old man's words shattered that hope. He would force a confession out of her for something, anything at all. And now she had all night to wonder just how he would do it.
She closed her eyes and was surprised to feel hot tears pushed by her eyelids to slide down her cheeks. Her situation had only gotten worse by the hour. Would this never end?
Her throat ached so...
"May I please have some water?"
A whisper into the darkness, for she refused to open her eyes and see no one. She would dream of water, and food, and perhaps gain a little satisfaction from the dream.