Five

*Wintrin*

"How dare they," Dylin struck the boy with the end of his sword. His voice rumbled. "How dare they expect us to willingly give this scum back to them?!"

I noticed Jaigin fiddling with the boy's badge as he watched Dylin's rage unfold. The human was very much alive and afraid, tear stains rinsing the blood on his face into my cloth. In some ways I almost felt sorry for him; Dylin accidentally broke his leg while trying to smuggle him inside our hideout. It was bent at an odd angle, even with his feet tied together. He groaned often from the pain.

"They did offer us what we desired," I spoke up. "Surely we must consider their offer?"

The boy screamed again. Dylin caught my gaze, his face half-obscured by the torch behind him. "Of course they offered us what we wanted. But I doubt they will fulfil their promise!"

"Well why wouldn't they?" Jet said, perched on a rock shelf above us. "Their captain sounded furious."

"Exactly," I added. "I thought the point of this operation was to acquire our demands, not injure an innocent human."

"Fury is shortlived," Dylin thrust his sword into the soil next to the boy's feet. "I will wait until I feel they are civilised enough to discuss this 'situation'."

He left his weapon where it stood and walked into the darkness behind him. The boy sighed loudly before his eyes closed and he slumped against the wall, clearly exhausted. It was strange to see him in such a defenceless state - had he been born one of us he would've been a warrior.

I listened to make sure Dylin was gone. He'd probably left to drown in more wine. "Jaigin, fetch me some water, will you?"

The young man nodded and slipped away almost silently, returning a minute later with a jug. Taking it from him, I poured a little over the floor. The soil instantly washed away, along with the boy's spilt blood. It ran over his shoes and into a small crevice next to him.

"Why rinse the evidence away when it will reappear when Dylin returns?" Jaigin mused thoughtfully.

I threw the rest of the water over the boy's head. He awoke suddenly, coughing and panting with drips falling off his nose. Fear glistened in his eyes; I noticed Jaigin shifted uncomfortably.

"Why should Dylin always have a clean environment?" I said icily, picking up my friend's sword. The tip of the blade shone a deep red. It was strange seeing red blood come out instead of blue, but it was still satisfying. I admired it before quickly slicing cuts into the boy's face. "It's my turn."

I ignored Jaigin's hurried footsteps as the boy screamed. My smile grew bigger, as did the human's wet eyes.

"Maybe this plan will be good after all."