Derekica Snake The Black Tower

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189 Derekica Snake
pressed tightly over their ears. The moon had past it's highest
point before the wailing ceased...The Bossmen walked the
pens listening to the quiet whimpers and weeping but the snap
of the whip was silent. Even the muffled sobs was welcomed
over the sudden startling silence.
"Can it be done?" The High Commander, Xerros,
queried reaching for a goblet of red wine. His hawk like
features were defined to the point of being bony, but the
piercing conviction of his vocation was easy to see in his
hazel eyes. Joelle always found herself uneasy around him,
because in the flicker on the torchlight those eyes could be
brown, green, or grey in a matter of a few heartbeats. His
short cropped hair seemed at odds with his nose and bushy
brows but there was an air of command and a presence about
him that made his physical appearance ominous. In jest and
as well of out of respect, Xerros was known as Death's
Harbinger.
The Polc nodded, "It will take longer, but it can be done.
We can turn him." His body newly washed and perfumed so
that the scent of his work was away from the dining table.
Ravenously the white haired man piled cheeses and smoked
meat onto his wooden plate. "I find him to be remarkable.
I've never encountered anyone with his fortitude before."
"He's strong." Joelle spoke up, her white and red robes
replaced with a soft grey robe and green side less surcoat.
Polc nodded in agreement, "I've never encountered
anyone with the strength of will he has"
"He believes in his cause - no matter that it is evil and
desolate." Joelle returned sipping at the wine, letting it roll in
The Black Tower 190
her mouth. The screams of the commander had set her
stomach into a tight knot of anger...that in itself was
exceptional but even looking at Polc made her want to heave
out the small dinner she had had earlier in the evening.
"He said nothing in confessional?" Xerros stared at
the priest, his eyebrows arched in disbelief.
"Nothing...he wouldn't even state his name. I had give
him the illusion that I destroyed his whole hand before he
past out because of the pain, and he revealed nothing."
"He was a mercenary...what company?"
"Highland Horde." Joelle handed over the sheets of
parchment that held all the records of Sergeant Kegsetters
history.
"Excellent company. Good reputation. He learned his
business well. However, we need those details to plan an
attack. Commander Riverview, I'll leave you in charge of a
raiding party. Not all of those lost souls have the heart of the
black commander, we should get the information we need
from them."
"Three should be more than sufficient." The high priest
added turning away to head back to his work.
Joelle nodded, saluted her superior officers then turned
on her heel and left the chamber. There as a tightness in her
throat and a cool ball of fear in her stomach. They hadn't met
the Dark Lord face to face. They hadn't felt his power and
they hadn't listened to Tal's conviction of right. They wanted
three prisoners. How many Riders under her command would
die getting them here.
191 Derekica Snake
The only maps that were available were the ones kept in
the local registry in Morriso's holding. Aside from being the
largest holding of the Freelord, it was the most centrally
placed and the most logical to be the focal point for the
alliance. Espy's holdings were small surrounded by a high
escarpment and a wide deep river. Fertile flatlands were to
the west but they were also surrounded and protected by the
river. As for the rest of the place, it was marked as forest and
uninhabitable. None of the other holdings were properly
mapped either...From her own memory, she know that the
main concentration of the village was to the southeast corner.
The problem was to get into the heart and back out again.
The Black Tower 192
Chapter 10: Little Sister
Danny could hear the whispers and the gestures as he
stepped out into the narrow banquet hall before everyone fell
silent. All the details to the preparations were being carried
out, and he had ridden Steppedancer out to the view the work
and everyone there had fallen silent as well. Betrayer rang in
his heart. He closed his fist around the small silver tear,
steady it thumped on his flesh. Then Kev's lean form
appeared from the kitchens holding a plain copper pitcher.
Danny felt himself stirring. Watching the young man just
walking made his body harden with desire.
[Yes, you want him.] the Darkness's voice was low and
seductive as is filtered through his head, [He would not
protest you're taking him right here...].
"You are offering something that you don't have."
Kev turned toward the entry way and even from the space
that separated them, Danny could see the fire erupt in the
golden eyes...
[He is yours, body and soul...command him as you
desire, as he desires. He has longed for your command for
five years...]
"Everyone out." Danny motioned for Kev to stay right
where he was, the blue-eyed stare pinning him to the floor.
The feeling was a kin to hunting prey as Danny stalked up to
the younger man. Kev physically trembled as Danny
stopped just inches from him. "Did I hurt you this morning?"
193 Derekica Snake
"Only when you turned away..." the whispered reply was
low.
"I attacked you like a rabid dog...you should have
fought."
"I wanted you...do you want me to fight?"
"No..." Danny let his palm touch the warm skin of the
jaw, "I don't want rape...not even in play. This day has been
hard for you hasn't it..."
"The Commander endured."
"But you are not as strong as the Commander." Kev's
face flushed red, but he couldn't pull his eyes away..."every
little word is like a cut with a knife...you're bleeding inside,
Kev. If you want to be my companion, you'll have to harden
yourself." Danny caught the bandaged hands..."This cannot
happen again. The only one you have to prove yourself to is
me and I need you to read and write." Kev shivered as the
Dark Healing mended his hands once more. "I cannot be with
you every moment of the day..."
"I want to help."
"We have enough strong hands working in the fields
without adding yours. Sit and eat." Danny gestured to the
place set at the far end of the table. It was presumptuous of
the staff to think Kev was more than just a night warmer
still..."Bring your plate here." He pulled out the wooden hair
on his right. Kev looked stunned for a moment...it was the
Commander's place.
Danny read the indecision in Kev's honeyed eyes "It is
the place of my companion...it is yours."
The Black Tower 194
The meal was eaten in silence...but it was a comforting
one. There were sidelong looks, no half seen gestures no
broken conversations. Danny watched as Kev dug into the
small chicken chewing the tender flesh, and then licking the
grease from his fingers. Desire shafted through him. The [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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