Darkness Within
Chapter 2
***
Clouds scudded across the moon, gray shrouds hiding its light. The man in the boat didn't move. His knees were open sores, bloody from kicking the top of the boat in his effort to keep the rats away. His vocal cords were destroyed from screaming.
Duo knelt behind the boat, moving carefully to muffle the sound of the chains.
"I didn't tell them, Shingami," the man said hoarsely. "They tried to make me tell, but I didn't. I had that much honor left."
Duo held a cup to the man's lips. "Drink this," he said, his voice a deep murmur, a part of the night.
"No," the man moaned. "No." he began to cry, a harsh, guttural sound pulled from his ruined throat.
"Hush, now. Hush. It will help." Supporting the man's head, Duo eased the cup between the swollen lips. After two swallows, Duo put the cup aside and stroked the man's head with gentle fingertips. "It will help," he crooned.
"I'm a Warlord of the Blood." When Duo offered the cup again the man took another sip. As his voice got stronger, the words began to slur. "You're a Warlord Prince. Why do they do this to us, Shingami?"
"Because they have no honor. Because they don't remember what it means to be Blood. The high Priestess of Hayll's influence is a plague that has been spreading across the Realm for centuries, slowly consuming every Territory it touches."
"Maybe the landens are right, then. Maybe the Blood are evil."
Duo continued stroking the man's forehead and temples. "No. We are what we are. Nothing more, nothing less. There are good and evil among every kind of people. It's the evil among us who rule now."
"And where are the good among us?" the man asked sleepily.
Duo kissed the top of the man's head. "They've been destroyed or enslaved." He offered the cup. "Finish it, little Brother, and it will be finished."
After the man took the last swallow, Duo used craft to vanish the cup.
The man laughed. "I feel very brave, Shingami."
"You are very brave."
"The rates... My balls are gone."
"I know."
"I cried, Shingami. Before all of them, I cried."
"It doesn't matter."
"I'm a Warlord. I shouldn't have cried."
"You didn't tell. You had courage when you needed it."
"Zuultah killed the others anyway."
"She'll pay for it, little Brother. Some day she and the others like her will pay for it all," Duo gently massaged the man's neck.
"Shingami, I-"
The movement was sudden, the sound sharp.
***
Okay chapter two done. Tell me what you think.
deathwraith: Thanks for the review. I have until chapter 1 typed (sort of). It stays with the books for a while but I may just need help later. Also I would like to say I am going to piss a lot of people off with the… chapter length.