Volumes of Sin

Volume Two - Chapter Seven

The aged doors slowly swung open, the wood groaned and twisted like that of an ancient sea boat as it threatened to splinter under the stress. The cloy smell of damp wood burning hit Sasha first as the torchlight fled out from the Forts main hall, unwilling to stay inside and witness the scenes of depravity present. Sasha couldn't help but gag at the foul smells that assailed her as she was forced into the main hall of the 'Bandit King', rough hands guided her once more as her skin crawled at the sight before her.

Cracked and broken hearths that lined the room now roared in anger as their rest was disturbed, more cloth's and tapestries hung doing little to hide the encroach of nature as smoke hung heavy in the air, the lack of ventilation doing little to alleviate it. Bandits were reduced to gardeners as they worked with frayed and worn hands, tearing away at the undergrowth that had worn away at the brittle walls. Branches of unknown plants that had worked their way through the fort's infrastructure would fool many into believing that this once great room had been blessed by Ne'avern.

At the back of the room sat Agrum, self proclaimed King of bandits, the carcass of a broken throne beneath him as he watched everyone impassively, it wasn't his place to work. A once proud and strong fort had now been reduced to nothing but a bandits delusion of grandeur.

Shoved again Sasha was forced to walk the length of the room as she felt hungry gazes settle on her, exposing her, making her clutch the rags that she wore around herself even tighter, seeking the slightest bit of protection. Sasha was delivered to the base of the throne and left to stand, peering up the tiny steps where Agrum's feet rested. The steps felt like daunting mountains to Sasha as a terrifying sense of pressure and terror oozed off Agrum, her life was in his hands.

Agrum finally brought his eyes down, peering at Sasha, his eyes wolfed down the sight of her, relishing the tanned and lithe feast before his eyes, a slow crooked grin grew as Agrum's face twisted, showing the true nature of the man. Yellowed and blackened teeth ground together as he issued out a deep ominous chuckle.

"Kneel before your king."

Agrum's words were spoken with boundless cruelty, this was the man who killed Senshin and yet Sasha could muster no power before him, try as she might. Was she to serve this beast? The struggle continued as Sasha continued to stand, staring at Agrum as fear and rage conflicted within her eyes.

Bandits around the room slowed their green fingered work and watched in anticipation, some of the previous women brought up from the cells had refused to heed Agrum's demands and had been gifted to them, only after Agrum had re-instated his image. "Kneel!" pounding down on the throne Agrum stood tall as he roared, spittle and phlegm flying forth from the force of his shout. Who was this woman to defy him? Heart pounding loudly Sasha sunk to her knees as a small kindle of rage continued to burn within her eyes, yet to eclipse the fear that lived in her heart.

The figure of Agrum filled Sasha's vision, horrified at the malice that surrounded the man. With savage steps Agrum descended onto Sasha, his wiry loathsome frame was lacking compared to many men under his command but what he lacked for in size he made up with savagery and cunning, a dangerous combination.

Frozen stiff Sasha could only watch in horror as Agrum's hand descended on her, a resounding smack echoed throughout the hall, bandits snickered and laughed at the figure suffering before them, better it be her than them. Falling down from the blow pain rocked Sasha's mind as it felt like her jaw had been torn apart, the taste of iron filling her mouth. A fresh bout of pain cleared her clouded mind as Agrum's talon like fingers dug into her cheeks, forcing her to face him.

"Never disobey me."

Agrum's dirtied and stained hands tainted Sasha's skin as they mixed with her tears, washing the grime from his touch, his words spoken as he stared at her possessively. Sasha couldn't help but flinch as Agrum raised his other hand, only to stop and gently caress her cheek as he made soft comforting sounds like one would for a child, his attempts at comforting Sasha making her stomach churn, threatening to bring forth bile at any time. Sasha started to wish that she had died back in camp or been picked as Agrum's 'example,' anything seemed better than being caught in his grasp.