Days had passed. Udonna was still getting used to the lack of light. The most stormy day in the forest would have felt like heaven against such dim light.
Now and again, Koragg would check on her. He would stand on the other side of the thorny wall and just watch her. She pretended not to notice. She could hear him coming down the corridor, light rocks being crushed under his boots, and typically pretended to sleep. It was fairly convincing, she thought. It wasn't so hard, actually. She was already laying down. (Rare was the time when she would get up and walk about the tiny space.) All that she had to do was close her eyes and breathe.
Maybe that's how she lost track of time. She couldn't tell when she fell asleep and when she didn't. Sometimes she was just lying there, only existing. The bare minimum of any sort of action was just existing.
Thinking back on all of this, she exhaled deeply and sat up. She didn't realize that now was a time he was watching her.
"You're up." Simple statement. Not much emotion.
Udonna nearly jumped. However, she maintained her composure and simply turned to him with a look of contempt. "Yes, I am."
A silence overtook them. Beneath his armor, Koragg was wondering what he should be saying. He was a competent warrior, of course. But as a conversationalist? Never.
On the bright side, he'd been doing a good job bringing her food. It wasn't much, mostly just fruit that grew near the Underworld. He offered her a pomegranate the second day, but knowing the legend of pomegranates, Udonna declined. Since then, he'd brought her stickleberries and apples. Even though they she was reassured they were not poisonous, Udonna was still wary of the gifts.
"If you've got something to say, I suggest you say it," she said harshly.
Koragg made a noise implying anger, and Udonna really wanted to shrink away, finding at least some comfort in the vines dividing them. "I'm keeping you here as leverage. I don't have anything to say besides that."
He turned to go but Udonna ran up and gripped the vines, trying to lean to where she could see his face. "You have to tell me about Clare. Is she alright?"
Her concerned voice stopped him slightly, and he pivoted to face her. If he could have seen his eyes, they would have scalded her. "I don't have to tell you anything," he growled. A pause, and he almost sighed. "She's alive, as far as I know."
The simple statement gave Udonna hope and she released the thorny vines, and stepped back. The vines had dug into her hands, and some places were cut ever so slightly.
More silence crossed them and Udonna could hear Koragg leaving. Then...
"Thank you."
Her voice was small against the dark, but large against the silence of the cave. Her hands were balled into fists. Part of her thankful, part of her resentful that this monster had tried to hurt her niece in any way before.
Koragg said nothing and finally his footfalls were out of range. Udonna sighed, laid back on the tablet, and blocked out any remaining light with her arm.
A/N: I hope this story is alright. It's not one of my more complex ones, but I'm trying to work up to an interaction with Imperious, some chapters where Clare has to take over being the sorceress in Rootcore, and Heir Apparent. Here's hoping I get there! Please review!