The shock of the blade through my skin and scream that followed was a little more than my body could handle. I started to gag and heave but nothing spilled forth but bile. Some where in the back of my mind I wondered when I had last eaten but the thought wouldn't stay in place. Someone... No, Brynjolf was dragging me up by hair. I caught a glimpse of Maul watching us with his fists opening and closing. Brynjolf brought me close to his face so as to catch my eye.
"Lets just cut to the chase, shall we? You're friends are already dead so tell me where Brand-Shei had run off to and I'll make less painful that I had origionally planned." It took my brain a moment to catch up with his words and my throat was so dry I could barely reply to him.
"What makes... You think... They are dead...?" He shrugged with a little smirk playing at his dry lips. My face was brought closer and he breathed the words across my face in his foul breath.
"Maven has every one of her Black-Briar Mercenaries looking for them. If they're still alive by some miracle, they won't be for long." I stared into his face for some time before I gathered as much saliva in my mouth as I could and spit directly into his eyes. The head butt I recieved in repsonse rendered me unconscious once more but not before I heard the sickening crunch of my nose breaking under his forehead.
When I came to again my head was being cradled in a very large hand. Something warm and wet was being pressed against my nose and wiped across my face. My eyes opened to find Maul standing over me attempting to clean me up.
"You're stupid," he declaired. "I don't know if thats bravery or confidence keeping you alive, but either way you're stupid. You should tell him where Brand-Shei is and let me kill you quickly. At this rate all you'll do is die slow." I simply laughed at him which caused his brow to furrow in confusion.
"You're not just stupid, you're cazy."
"Not crazy or stupid, I promise." I tried to smile at him but my face hurt and it turned into a grimace. If I did live I bet I'd have some pretty nice scars from this. Scars... I frowned at Maul. "You're the stupid one. What are you even doing here? Get out. Leave. Do something that doesn't involve that bitch of a woman Maven. Do better than whatever this is."
He opened his mouth to retort but didn't get the chance. A door opened and Brynjolf walked through with a pretty silver dagger in his hand. Again, I couldn't help but give a little laugh.
"Maul, Rune, hold this milk drinker up. I want to make her scream." Both men hesitated but complied, moving as though they had little choice in the matter. They grabbed the tops of my arms and hauled me upwards into a standing position though they held almost if not all of my weight. I learned right then and there that Brynjolf made good his promises. At first the cuts were light and easy to keep quiet about. Then they got deeper to the point they nearly carved out pieces of my flesh. My arms, legs, face, chest, stomach... Nothing was sparred from his silver glinting knife. I couldn't help it or stop myself and screaming until my voice became hoarse and could no longer must the strength to even whimper. Blood streamed down my body and began to coat the floor. My head drooped as my vision darkened. I didn't even notice Brynjolf leave until after Maul and Rune had lowered me to the floor. I could hear Runes soft voice muttering something to either himself or Maul but I couldn't see him. The room was getting darker and I once again found my head cradled in Mauls hand as he watched me. There was something I had to get out... Something I had to say...
"I..."
"Don't speak," he mumbled gruffly. "It'll be easier for you if you don't speak." A soft whimper managed to escape as my determination to get this out before I died grew and gave me the strength to say it.
"I... Forgive you." It sounded broken and was mostly whispered but I know he heard it. He set me down and walked away from me then, leaving me to the coldness of the room.
Authors Note: Song: Evanescence - Where Will You Go