THE PRISONERS

A crack in the ceiling above the middle of the north wall allowed a trickle of water to flow down to the floor. The water pooled near the base of the wall, and a rivulet ran along it, flowing out into the hall. The water appeared to be fresh. Cyer came to his senses, opening his eyes, he examined the room.

Thick cobwebs filled the corners of the room, wisps of webbing hung from the ceiling a waver in a wind one could barely feel. One corner of the ceiling had a particularly large clot of webbing within which a goblin's bones were tangled.

Cyer moaned in pain, as he realized that he was yet again in a dungeon. Remembering how he got there his memories faded when he got to the fight with the Wyvern. Chained to a wall he observed the room once more in hopes of finding more clues regarding his current predicament.

Tapestries decorated the walls of the room. Although they may once have had been brilliant in hue, they now hung in graying tatters. Despite the damage of time and neglect, one could still perceive the once-grand images of wizards' towers, magical beasts, and symbols of spellcasting. The tapestry that was in the best condition bulged out weirdly, as though someone stood behind it, an armless statue of a female human spell caster.

"Shit" Cyer's thoughts came to his mouth, "It's the wolves, no mistaking it." Cold sweat ran down Cyer's brow, being held by the wolves was among the few very worst-case scenarios planned.

Quietly he resolved to observing again, trying to think up a plan, or a solution.

Rats inside the room shrieked when they heard the clanking of his chains against the wall, scattering in all direction they revealed a putrid corpse lying in the center of the floor. As these creatures crowded around the edges of the room, seeking to crawl through a hole in one corner, they fought one another. The stinking corpse in the middle of the room looked human, but the damage both time and the rats had wrought were enough to make determining its race by appearance an extremely difficult task at best.

Cyer raised an eyebrow, such neglect was unheard of by the wolves, his captors were not your standard white wolf folk. He was in a more dangerous situation than he could imagine. Cyer was stripped of all his attire except for the bare clothing, all his knives and blades and gadgets gone. Gulping down slowly he tried to analyze who exactly was keeping him their guest.

Neither light nor the flowing water could penetrate the gloom of the chamber. Unnatural shade filled it, and the room's farthest reaches were barely visible. Although Cyer could discern with ease, he calmly collected his thoughts. All he knew was that he was in what appeared to be an ancient dungeon, that had all the traces that conveyed that it was part of a fort that had to be equally aged. He could sense a raging blizzard outside the thick walls and the intense cold alarmed him that he was in an icy region.

Enumerating the possibilities in his head, he narrowed his location down.

A white wolf fortress that is near Alfana, is in a snowy region and is ancient. Either it was one of Master Philip's but if that had been the case, it should have been well kept, it was very unlikely to see it in this condition had it belonged to that master.

The other possibility, a much more dangerous one if possible was that it belonged to the infamous crimson blade, Zasha.

He knew that her stronghold was within the territory of Philip, and met the right conditions as well, but the area of Alfana was disputed, extended much further than the dominion of Master Philip so he had hoped Zasha's fortress was not near, alas everything pointed to a conclusion otherwise.

It was an unspoken rule for the assassins, to stay clear of the white wolf, if not that then stay clear of Master Philip and also if you see Zasha, abort mission and escape. Zasha was feared as one of the most ruthless fighters, and one of the most difficult ones to negotiate with. She with her knights and forces had slayed a number of armies, and scores of assassins. A force not to be reckoned with and worst of all, she did not hail from any one master's dominion, rather her allegiance was to the order itself.

Cyer remembered what he knew about her stronghold, near the tri border of three masters of the wolves. The ancient keep was located on an isolated mountain, connected by two draw bridges, it was said to be as impregnable as the rumored fortress capital of Neraya. All three masters that surrounded the fort provided it security, as such any attack on it would result in forces from all three entering the fray and demolishing the attacking army, if by chance they were not completely annihilated by Zasha herself.

Cyer was indeed in a perilous situation, one from which escape seemed highly unlikely. How had he gotten into this mess he wondered and realized that a demon, an S-class Wyvern and a double pure fighting was bound to catch Zasha's attention, especially this close to her keep, they were practically inviting her to come. Kai would be safe at least; the demon might be in a difficult situation as well. Cyer thought, and if Zasha was keeping him prisoner at least he could rest at ease that he wouldn't be killed immediately, for if that were the case Zasha would have done so. Perhaps they were going to interrogate him. Pondering suicide, Cyer remembered his mission with a gentle nod, he smiled, slowly coiling and uncoiling the heavy ancient chains around his arms. He could use the situation to his advantage, if he played his cards right.

...

A row of prisoners sat on their knees, looking up at the armored figures that paced casually across the room, a few chatting merrily in the distance, while two or three sat and watched the prisoners with a bored expression. The prisoners themselves were kneeling on what appeared to be a part of the floor that had a drain running under it, they could hear the flowing water. This part of the floor was separated from the rest, as it was a few inches below it and made of steel.

Iliea was with her hand on her knees gazing at the first prisoner, talking in a calm and collected manner, her voice sweet, but the prisoner had horror in his eyes and was shaking, looking at her.

Another knight sat cross legged in front of another prisoner with a clipboard in his hand. Interrogations conducted here were of a very different nature.

The prisoners were slowly getting comfortable due to the strange warmth of the place, they had been part of an army that was defeated by Zasha and her knights.

"So, you are telling me, you have no idea what you were doing in this region?" Iliea began talking, the prisoner in front of her looked up shaking his head.

"You were just blindly following your general?" She continued

A nod in reply.

"Okay, who was your general?" Iliea questioned shaking her head. The sense of warmth and comfort spilling into the prisoners.

"Wouldn't you like to know" The answer was sarcastic, as Iliea raised an eyebrow.

Quickly answering the prisoner spoke, "Our commander was General Sher, the wanderer."

"Never heard of him" Iliea spoke out. "Allister, this is getting tiring," Iliea spoke making a face at the knight that was interrogating the prisoner beside her,

Allister looked up from his clipboard and smiled at Iliea broadly,

"Why do you think Zasha put you up to this?" he answered grinning.

"She still mad?" Iliea replied biting her lip gently.

"Afraid so," Allister answered looking back at the prisoner in front of him, as Zasha walked into the room.

The prisoner in front of Iliea raised his head to peek at Iliea's cleavage, grinning. She had her head turned towards Zasha, while still bending forward towards the prisoner.

Seeing Zasha advance furiously, Iliea, let out a faint smile as of a child who was sorry, unaware that the anger wasn't directed at her. Within moments there was blood spilling uncontrollably over the drained floor, as Zasha had sliced off the head of the peeking prisoner in a swift single blow. Her blade gleamed crimson as she swiftly sheathed it as quickly as it had been drawn.

Pulling Iliea back she faced the remaining prisoners,

"A'right you fucks, listen up, this ain no shitty game, you'd best answer what you're asked if you value your fucking necks!" Zasha was furious and her rage instilled the fear in the fellow prisoners. Shivers running down their spines.

A knight calmly stepped ahead,

"Zasha, calm down... we have guests," Lauren spoke with grace gently bowing his head to look at Zasha, who in turn shook her head,

"Lia, get the fuck away from these assholes, let Allister and Lauren do the rest!" She barked her order before walking into the adjacent room.

Her presence left an impact in the room that stole all the warmth and comfort that the prisoners were feeling.

"Dear, dear, Mr. Caius, you aren't from around here, correct?" Allister continued gazing at the man he was interrogating as if nothing had happened.

"I hail from Neraya," Mr. Caius replied calmly well aware of Zasha and her knights.

"Ah, yes, right, Neraya, to think that you would be among the prisoners of this army, Neraya being what it is, it's surprising indeed," Allister said, scribbling down on his clipboard,

"If only you could better explain the situation." He smiled pleasantly, resting his hands on his knees he nodded.

"Oh, I know, and I think you do too, Mr. Caius. All you have to do is tell me what is going on in Neraya and why you were with this army."

Caius looked uncomfortable,

"You know I would rather not do that," he said in a quiet voice, "As a citizen of Neraya I am sworn to not reveal any secrets."

Allister arched his eyebrow.

"Although this may be true, wouldn't it be better if you only had, let's say, this as a path to choose in order to continue your life?"

Caius nodded looking steely eyed at his interrogator.

"And wouldn't you agree that those guardians of Neraya would want their subject to live?"

Caius jumped out impulsively, his face tense,

"Don't bring the Whites into this, you fool," he said with an intense fierceness in his voice.

Allister knew he had hit a nerve, so he continued down the path,

"Fine, but you do know that you are going to end up just like them, found dead in that prison you called Neraya. However, unlike your lords, you probably wouldn't be dying valiantly or celebrated, you'd probably be forgotten in the very first week."

"Enough!" Caius shouted. "You bastar-"his eyes were glaring now.

Allister held out his hand for him to hold his tongue.

"Listen," he said in a calm, soothing voice, "All I want is the best outcome out of this, but I can't help if you are not willing to help me. See I am not one who enjoys death."

Caius sat back down in his place. "Perhaps we can come to terms," he said. Clearly realizing the futility of his situation. It was about time he listened and resolved this.

"Well," Allister thought for a moment. "you said that you are sworn to secrecy as a citizen of Neraya not to say anything about that which could bring harm to it, but YOU, Mr. Caius should know that even if you don't tell me the wolf will find out anyway. With that said," - a grin surfaced on Allister's face- "I believe it's best for you to tell me what happened. As a citizen that you claim that you are, I'm sure you know something."

Caius fidgeted in his place. He brushed his hair back with both hands, revealing a scared forehead and then released a big breath.

"Look," he finally said, "I'm not going to give you all the details but I'm to give you what you can bite on," he glanced at the prisoners sitting beside him. "I do not want them to hear, though," he gestured at the prisoners. "They have to go."

With a swift motion, Allister ordered for the room to be cleared. As younger knights walked the prisoners off "Now, he said, "what can you tell me?"

"First," Caius spoke up again, "I want to have your word that Neraya will not be harmed."

"I can't promise that, Caius. The white wolf does what it pleases"

"Then you won't get anything valuable out of me."

Allister got up and then left the room for five minutes then returned.

"Your request has been granted, kinda, the white wolf has no plans for Neraya in the present stages, so to speak."

Caius paused, nodded, and then started to speak,

"I am Caius and I belong to the military of Neraya. As such it would be utterly shameful for me to pour out the secrets of my nation but seeing as to the predicament that I am in, I have to find a compromise, I guess. It was a few days after Ruzaik the iron helm was slain, an assassin called Lear visited our king,"

"What did he say?"

"I'm getting to that, slow your row. Now, as I was saying, He warned us about rouge assassins that were going to invade our nation and steal several thousand years' old artifacts. He said how they wanted to ruin the place, but he was on their trail."

"Did he speak of their motives?" Allister asked.

Caius nodded.

"I am guessing this Lear fellow was angry because the said assassins were being trained under him. Neraya is an ancient nation. Home, that we all went to after the endless wars. It being nonaligned granted it the opportunity and kept it out of major conflict."

"So, you're saying there are memories in that place and the assassins were going to attack it. Is that why the royalty was killed? Is that why you are here, why you were with this rouge army that trespassed our territory?"

"In a way, yes but please don't get ahead of yourself," Caius wasn't having it, "You are but a child!"

"Sorry, sorry Mr. Caius," Allister said. "Please continue."

Caius brought his chained arms up. "Actually," he said, "I think I am done speaking." he sat up straight in his chair, lowering his arms.

Allister realized what he had done. Pressuring him wasn't going to work, nor pretending to be his friend either. What he needed was a new approach. He thought for a moment, the two of them in dead silence. "All righty, then," he said, nodding. "Unchain him, have him seated properly." Allister order promptly as younger knights obeyed.

Caius didn't respond, but Allister had his full attention.

"Excuse me for not doing this earlier, to think I was being so uncivil. To think that I may have insulted you. You see, all I want to do is get this over with and return to my place of happiness in this rundown fort." Allister spoke like royalty, while Caius rubbed his hand over the wrist where the chain had been, now seated properly.

"Lies!" Caius spoke not looking up, "You are perfectly comfortable doing this"

"Oh, I'm not lying," Allister held his hands up as if under arrest. "I'm also not lying when I say I want to go to my place of happiness. See, of the places I love the most, my warm comfortable bed is by far my favorite."

"Are you toying with me?"

"Oh, no not at all. I am sure you can appreciate the importance of a warm bed and a full stomach, there is not much else that a man needs."

Caius brought his hand to his chin. "I used to live in peace before all this happened," he said thinking back a slight look of remorse on his face.

Allister had an upper hand now. What he had to do next was reel him in.

"Yes," then he continued, "and to think you were this far away from home with a bunch of lowly wanderers."

"What are you talking about?" Caius spoke up.

"This General Sher wanted to gather an army down the line and create a country for himself, but the poor lad could not get away with it as he stumbled in the wrong regions. He raided and sacked quite a few villages and tribes. How do you think he funded his army? started his own business didn't he. Wanted to have a luxurious life but well. Now, you being with them raises a lot of questions. Do you know the amount of pain his forces have caused! How many they have orphaned?"

Caius had a remorseful look on his face thinking about his own past. Allister understood why. Neraya was a kingdom that was formed by people who were suffering from such circumstances, Caius was probably sympathizing with the people. It wasn't simply the fact that he was with the army but what his own actions had been. It hit him hard.

"And," Allister continued, "Here he is," Allister cut off what he was about to say as an officer brought him a file. Looking at it for a moment he looked up and stared at Caius.

"There is no use in denying your involvement now," Allister said. "Let us be done with this already. Tell me the whole truth and nothing but, General Caius isn't that, right." Allister smiled having found out who his prisoner really was.

Caius raised his head, feeling uncomfortable he looked around, the knights in the room were all dead silent, Iliea was looking at him leaning on a wall at the edge of the room, Zasha was in the room next to it paying no heed to them, her eyes on a parchment.

"Alright. My name is Maximus Caius Roy. I am the general of the army of Neraya, assassins attacked my nation, killed my king and his family and for some reason abducted me. When I came too, I was with General Sher, apparently, he had no idea as to who I was either, so I sought it best to keep silent until I can find a way back home."

"My dear, had you told us this earlier, all this harsh treatment would have been unnecessary. But as to why you were abducted by the assassins. Your story seems a bit odd." Allister spoke standing up,

"Keep the general in a guest room, and alert the wolf as to his presence, I am sure they can find a use for him. While he is our guest make sure he is treated according to his stature," At his command the general was walked away as well. As Allister along with the rest present approached the room where Zasha sat, her expression shifted from fierce to annoyed. She looked at the parchment that sat on the table between her and Kai. While Kai sat with his demon beside him, looking up at the lady in front, known as the crimson blade, shake with annoyance.