Chapter XIV
Wake up, we're here. Why are you shaking? Are you ok? Wake up.
An indistinguishable figure stirred from the floor of the ship.
Stand up... there you go. You were dreaming. What's your name?
The replied seemed unimportant now. If there was a reply at all. Everything was muffled.
Well, not even last night's storm could wake you. I heard them say we've reached Morrowind, I'm sure they'll let us go.
Ever the optimist, freedom seemed so far away now. This recollection of a conversation so... normal, it didn't feel right.
Quiet, here comes the guard.
He had heard before his fellow prisoner had. But what had he heard? Footsteps maybe... a voice? A guard appeared, as if summoned by his command. The figure lingered.
You'd better do what they say.
Yes, you had better do what they say.
What had happened to that prisoner? It was almost inconceivably trivial, but he wanted an answer. Most likely the prisoner was doing better than he was right now. Or he was dead. Who could tell.
"You had better do what I say Jiub," raged the voice of his captor. Jiub's eyes flittered open as consciousness made a priority. Still bound to a chair, his tormentor, his kidnapper stood over him,
"It's been a long time now Jiub, I grow impatient... if you don't adapt, then you will die. Isn't it better to live at my side, under my command?"
Jiub couldn't feel the pain in his body. He was sure it was still there, maybe he was adapting after all.
"I'm sure they'll let us go," he croaked. Frathen Drothan laughed,
"You're delirious. You have no idea of your potential. Of your destiny..."
The voice carried on speaking, but Jiub did not hear it. He was back on the ship, the prisoner was waking up. Jiub spoke out to him,
"Stand up... there you go. You were dreaming. What's your name?"