"Pay what you owe us." A voice cut through the dark -- taught and upset.
Cass tried to open her eyes but her lids barely moved. Everything felt numb. Only the crackling fire in the small fireplace sent any warmth into her still body.
Squinting best she could just make out a tall figure across the room. It was the tall man from the inn, she was sure of it. Panic suddenly rose in her chest.
Attempting to push off the floor, Cass tried to move but found she couldn't move an inch. A heavy weight pushed down on her chest and arms -- she was chained. Her whole body felt raw. Broken. Her racing heartbeat the only thing telling her she was indeed alive. Her still throbbing ankle telling her that she was indeed awake.
"We brought you the witch," the tall man spat. "Now you expect us to leave without recompense for our trouble." His pale hair flailing with each syllable.
Hands clenched tight in fists, the tall man shook visibly in rage. The fire from the large fireplace sending flickers of red across his black armor.
The other person was just out of Cass' sight, behind a large wooden desk. A flickering candle on the table cast long shadows across the wood paneled walls.
A slow scratching of what Cass could only imagine was a quill, was all the response the mystery person gave. Then the tall man slammed his fist down roughly.
"I lost good men dammit!"
A deep sigh emanated from the other man and then a deep velvet voice filled the room. It had a soft lilt to it, and Cass couldn't help but think it would have been beautiful if not for the situation.
"You truly expect for me to pay after you broke our agreement." A hint of malice dripped from the man but not completely unnoticed by the tall man.
The tall man shook slightly.
"I-We, that is to say, did nothing of the sort. The girl is here. "
Cass shifted best she could to see more but her chains held tight.
The mystery man's voice grew cold in an instant sending chills up Cass' spine.
"The terms were clear. The task simple. You were to obtain the girl and return her to me. She was not to be brought half dead. You were not to make a spectacle of it. But of course, if your idea of kidnapping includes a town being razed to the ground, then by all means you've succeeded perfectly." His voice rose up in deep angular jabs.
"We had no choice, they had to be smoked out and split apart. The girl was very unwilling."
"Your excuses are not welcome here, Phliny. You were to be professionals," the man spoke with authority but it was dark. Deep and powerful. It frightened Cass enough to make her want to curl up and disappear.
"You have now drawn attention from her protector, and to add to your increasing stupidities you also failed to eliminate him."
"That would not have happened if the portal had opened as planned." This Phliny countered sharply. "Your plan was-"
"Do not question me!" The mystery man had now risen to his feet. The sound of heavy chair scraping sharply against the floor convinced Cass of that.
Now Phliny shrunk back slightly. Was he scared?
A dark shadow seemed to ooze down the walls and outwards from where the mysterious man stood. An eerie presence sent a sharp shiver up Cass' spine. There was something evil about this.
The shadows writhed on the walls. Curling and reaching outwards, as if to escape.
Dark tendrils slunk along the floor and started slinking towards Cass.
"N-n-no no of course not not, good sir," he said shakily. "I only mean it wont happen again. My men and I are happy to be payed less for the sub-par services."
"You and your men," the mystery patron said with a sweeter tone.
The shadows on the walls and floor shrunk back and Cass let out a small breath.
"Perhaps I have been to harsh about the quality of your performance. I shall have your payment in but a moment. But first, at least let me give you a toast to your success in your contract. The woman is indeed in my castle as agreed, and relatively unscathed."
A soft pop of a cork broke the tension. Something, Cass assumed wine, filled awaiting goblets.
"Thank you indeed sir. I knew you to be a reasonable man, but what of my men sir? Their payments."
"They will be paid in full come morning. Now lets drink a toast. Say- to your health."
"I'd like to toast to our partnership sir."
"Mmmm, partnership. Interesting choice in words Phliny. It is said a good partner has to be one who is your own equal. One who can share your goals and desires."
"Well sir, we both wish to see change across the Continent. First this witch, and then others. I'd say we are indeed equal in this."
"You say we are equals..., but I'd have to disagree." The tone darkened slightly,
Phliny muttered something under his breath about disagreeing but raised his cup. Then taking a long swig swig anyways, he downed the goblet whole in less than a minute.
"My, what a fine wine sir." He smacked his lips slightly. "I've always enjoyed a good wine but what was that distinct after-note?"
"I couldn't say really. You see I have never tasted this particular 'note' myself, I must admit. That was something very special indeed," the patron sneered in a voice that sent shivers through Cass' body.
Curling tightly she tried to avoid detection that she was indeed awake. She needed to get out of here ASAP!
The tall man suddenly bent double and clutched at his stomach. Any of the last dregs from his cup were dashed across the wooden floor.
Turning for the door Phliny tried to run but his legs gave out half way.
The dark smooth voice continued in an arrogant manner. "It is something only yourself and a few select individuals have ever tasted. I have dubbed it 'the price of failure to uphold my expectations', but of course you would be so base as to simply call it poison."
Now kneeling on the floor Phliny shook violently. Cass could see his eyes rolling around wildly in his head.
"Aaaaggghagah. W-w-why... we had-had a deal. I-I ..." He barely coughed out he words as blood had blood and foam had begun to expand out the sides of his mouth.
The mystery man tutted mockingly as he slowly walked over to the tall man.
In the light from the fireplace Cass couldn't see his whole face under the large hood he wore, but the rich red robes were a complete contrast to his cold eyes. No hint of remorse or pity. Just ice.
She couldn't help but shake.
He was a monster.
"Like I have said multiple times, and I hate to repeat myself, I run a smooth operation. Failure is not an option. So please, consider this your payment in full."
The tall man in black armor shook one more time and soon stopped shuddering laying perfectly still. His eyes open and dead.
The mysterious man in red gave the corpse a kick with his boot sending rivulets of spittle and blood towards Cass.
Lurching back Cass tied to avoid it but her chains held fast. She tried to scream but nothing would come out, just a soft wheeze of air. Her heart was now racing. What sort of a man could kill so easily! What did this mean for her? Oh gods was she next...
"Ah, so my little toy has awoken. Excellent." His eyes narrowed in a predatory manner.
Thin fingers adjusted the cuff of his jacket, which would have been quite a casual manner, if not for the small vial of poison he slid back in place under a button.
His icy eyes shone out from the hood, and wandered across her whole body. Inspecting. Judging.
Then stepping casually over the dead man with one stride he crouched down in front of her face. He frowned. It made his handsome face contort into something more inhuman.
"Worry not little toy. If you prove useful this will likely not be your fate either. No, there is something far more grand planned for you." He smiled showing pearly white teeth.
With a casual smirk he nodded to himself which sent his hood backwards revealing white blonde hair braided in intricate patterns.
What both intrigued and frightened her more was in the light, she could just see the tip of his ear. It was pointed.
She stared for but a moment too long, and with a force that seemed impossible he grabbed her face. With his gloved hand he roughly turned her head this way and that. Inspecting, as if she were an animal for sale.
He grabbed her like her past monsters. Violently and with no hesitation. Her mind threatened to wander back down memory-lane. Back to the dark alleys. The dark rooms. Rooms alone with... The... Cass don't go there. Positive. You need to survive. You've survived that you can survive this!
Think. Get away. Think. Breath. Is he an elf? Is that a thing here? NO think! useful thoughts This isn't like last time. What should I do? What can I do? What would Eskel do? He wouldn't have gotten caught in the first place... but then again I'm still alive. Fight!
Cass froze for but a moment. Then she snapped.
Tearing her head away from his grasp she bit down into his hand-- hard. The tough leather of his glove wouldn't allow her to draw blood as she intended or given her a chance to wriggle away.
A pale hand flew and struck her with dazzling speed.
The contact sent spots of light dancing across the room. Everything spun. For a moment she was weightless, and then her head struck the floor bouncing. A warm sensation of blood on her lip felt foreign. But she didn't have a moment to think or stay down.
The rough gloved hand grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her up into a sitting position.
"You pathetic bitch. Did you think you could get away with that? Really, you are no better than a wild street dog, and if you act as such you will be treated thus."
His voice was calm but held promise of rage just below the surface. Cass tried to meet his gaze but her still swollen eyes now filling with tears made it difficult.
"I am master here. I will be listened to, and obeyed. Do you understand."
Cass narrowed her eyes trying to seem more intimidating. This reaction however only caused the man to twist her hair tightly making Cass let out a sharp yelp.
"You will find I ask only once. Now, you miserable girl, answer me."
Choking back tears Cass nodded best she could.
"Good. I am most glad you can understand basic speech little toy."
Thrusting her back onto the floor he dusted off his hands, and straightened his jacket. Smoothing his hair he pulled his hood up. An air of arrogance and malice marring his fine features. He was no Legolas.
Turning on his heel as if nothing happened he walked to a cabinet and pulled out a small cask of wine. Removing the vial from his cuff pocket, he mused over the cask but a moment before calling out an order in some language Cass didn't know.
She prayed it wasn't something like torture the girl.
Within a few seconds a young man, definitely human, in pale grey robes floated into the room. He didn't even seem to be fazed by the corpse sprawled out on the floor. They both spoke in an odd lilting tongue and then with a small bow the servant moved towards the corpse.
The mysterious man whom Cass had dubbed 'Evil' took a seat behind his desk and began to write something.
The servant not wasting a moment eyed up the corpse then proceeded to pull a small scone on the wall. Cass hadn't even notice it as it was not lit. It gave a sharp click and a single wall panel pulled away leading into a dim corridor.
With speed and strength unlike his stature the young man took the corpse and rolled it into a sheet he pulled from his robes. Taking measures to wipe the floor of bodily fluids the young man tied the corpse up and dragged it through the secret passageway.
Once the dead man's feet passed the threshold the mechanism whirred softly and the wall closed once again.
Cass took this time to try and center her focus away from the many pains in her body and what had just occurred.
Suddenly another servant, this time a little older, entered the room followed by one of the men in black armor.
The mercenary barely gave her a glance and strode into the middle of the room.
"Sir?"
"Ah good." He looked up from the tall stack of papers. "Thank you Fierin, you may take your leave for I have to discuss something with my mercenary."
The servant bowed and walked backwards from the room and slipped silently away.
"What is it you want to talk about sir?" The mercenary shifted slightly in his worn boots, uncertainty coming off him in waves.
"It has to do with your payment." The elf behind the desk said almost nonchalantly. "I believe I still owe you and the others the full payment."
"Well, that's more Phliny's thing. Sir, he organizes that... Speaking off, where is Phliny?"
"Ah, Phliny." A small shadow passed over his eyes but it was barely noticeable under his wide hood. "I have given him his own shares already, and we had a little toast. An early congratulations if you will. The wine from my personal collection was too much for him, I'm afraid, and he had to retire early."
"Oh, and what of our share sir? Our gold?"
"Worry not, I am a man of my word after all. Payment will be given in full by morning, but for tonight I think you and all the others deserve something special. This is why," he gestured to the cask on the large desk," I insist you take this cask from my personal collection and enjoy yourselves. You and all the others."
"Why thank you sir. I don't know what to say, but I'm glad you understand booze. I'm sure the men will enjoy this!"
Taking the small keg of wine under his arm he gave a curt bow.
Cass wriggled in her chains. Her thoughts turned to the writhing man from earlier. The silent plea in his eyes. Though she harbored no love for those who took her by any means, there was no way she could let them die such a horrible death.
"Don't! Don't drink it." She tried to get the man's attention by moving towards the doorway. "It's poisoned."
With cask under arm the man stopped but a moment, and frowned at her.
The mercenary gave a light chuckle.
"Yes, poisoned indeed. I'm sure you want to mess with us little witch, but it will do you no good. You can't lie to me."
"I swear I'm not lying! If you all drink it you will die!" Scrunching her face she tried to make him understand. " Look, I just saw Phliny die. He convulsed and died right there on the floor." Cass tried to point with her nose. "Why would I have cause to lie about his death, and about your own impending one! He killed him."
Shooting a dark look towards her, the elf in the desk rose up with an eerie calmness. The shadow behind him shivering slightly.
"Sir?" The burly man turned back with slight confusion.
Clearing his throat and asserting himself with sheer confidence the elf gave a cold laugh.
"She is simply trying to gain support to escape, as all in her position would try undoubtedly."
The mercenaries eyes narrowed. "Then if'n he retired, why isn't he in his room? I walked by it on the way here."
"I understand your concern, but Phliny is safe in my private guest chambers. I dare not move him as he was in such a state. Even now my servant is attending to him."
"Makes sense..." The man contemplated this for a moment.
"The witch," the elf turned towards her with his dagger eyes, "will hold her tongue." Making an odd gesture with his hands the shadow on the walls swelled ever so slightly.
Cass tried to retort but found her tongue wouldn't move. She couldn't say a thing. Only a pathetic wheeze left her lips.
"See, she has nothing more to lie about. Now how about you get that fine wine to the others. We cannot have them drinking only the lesser ales tonight."
"Aye, indeed sir. They've earned it." Taking another small bow the mercenary strode out of the room.
Cass tried to wriggle and yell but nothing would come out of her mouth.
His boots echoed a long way down the hall, and then she could hear no more. The castle must be huge.
"Earned it indeed."
A chill ran up her spine, and turning she saw the elf standing above her. How had he moved so silently. His eyes wide and wild.
"Little toy, you will do as I command." Smack! He struck her across the face again. Blinking back tears she tried to sit up best she could.
"I need you alive for now, but that is all that saves your worthless life. I must also remind you that torture is still a viable option for your cooperation," He growled.
His once soft voice was now deep and grating. It stood in stark contrast to his face.
Cass felt a tightening of her neck and the air begin to leave her lungs. Invisible hands squeezing. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and suddenly the pressure was gone.
Stepping away from her, he once again called out in the strange tongue. Another third servant in grey ran into the room.
"Take my prisoner into the special room we have for her. Make sure she is secured and for the gods sake throw some water on her. She is disgustingly filthy, and I will not run preliminary tests until this has been remedied."
Giving a deep bow the servant loosened the chains enough to allow Cass to walk. Tears stung as they freely flowed down her cheeks. Then with a more gentle hand they led her away from her captor and into her new prison.
Oh how she wished to be back home on Earth... but more than that she wanted to be back with Eskel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A.N. - Oooof that was long.... my bad. I got carried away with this chapter. Anyways much love to you readers, and commentators. :-)
~Stay safe and healthy