The Deathly Nothing

Chapter 11

A few days had passed, well that's what I thought, it was hard to tell with no sunrise or sunset drifting through the window. A constant bleak night hung in the sky, as if time did not exist as if it was all a bad dream. The man I know knew to be Craith visited me every morning with a plate of breakfast. Food that was nothing but ordinary, eggs- they were always fried. Some toast, beans, sausage and if I was lucky- bacon.

I felt like a stray cat, Craith a kind shop owner that arrived every day to throw me some scraps. At least I was fed, I imagined the Queen simply forgot about me and was more than happy for me to rot until I was a pile of bones. My cell had been upgraded to my surprise as Craith had suggested, I had a simple bed with a matress that felt little better than the hard rock but it was a bed. A bed with an itchy blanket for cover and a pillow, I was so very spoilt. Of course I'd asked,

"Why do this for me? I'm a prisoner." He'd shook his head and laughed at my question as if I'd made the world's best joke.

"My Queen doesn't keep prisoners, most people are executed on site she says it's easier that way," he replied as he sat with me at breakfast one morning. Killed on site. Merciless perhaps but then again maybe it was better to go quickly than loose your mind slowly in a rotten cell. I put down my toast, casting him a glare, my throat felt dry like sandpaper.

"So she's saving me for later? I'm sat here waiting for my death, I guess I should thank you for attempting to make my last few days bareable," I said through gritted teeth. That feeling was back, I felt scared even if I tried to conceal it. How would she do it, with magic? Break my mind, shatter it like glass or would she use her bare, blankened hands. Maybe she'd wield one of Rudylin's weapons, or save me for Rudylin herself. Either way it seemed certain I'd die here.

"Yes she is 'saving' you but not to slice your head off your shoulders, mate. No you're special you see and that makes you useful," he said lowly rubbing his chaw.

"Useful for what exactly?"

"Who knows but I'm sure we will find out. I mean what we do know is that you were able to enter the Underneath and who else has ever done that?" Craith whispered, leaning forward as if he was analysing me for the answer of my arrival to his world. I stared back blankly.

"I'm telling the truth, you know. I don't know how it happened," I muttered to him.

"Yes but what you can figure is that magic runs through your veins, that's for sure. Magic binds us to this place that's why we can't leave and your kind can't enter. What lies inside you has to be connected to the Underneath, that's my prediction anyway. Quite exciting don't you think?" he replied and his eyes flashed with an excitement that could be dangerous. I swallowed at the thought, it was impossible. No it wasn't, it made sense. How else had that arrow exploded in the woods it must have been me. This was crazy talk, I would know if I had magic. Craith looked at me expectantly almost waiting for me to agree but I could not digest the idea.

I studied his face for a few quiet minutes. I knew who this man was, a fair number of details about his life. Or maybe I knew the self he wanted me to know. Hidden beneath that charming smile and warm eyes was actually a villain, capable of mass destruction. However I wanted to, and did, believe this man to be kind and humours, someone pure and true in nature. I wanted to ignore the instinct to be wary, as his energy intrigued me to know more.

"Can I trust you, Craith?" I asked carefully, inhaling sharply. He looked towards me, his face seemed regretful for a moment, something I could have missed if I hadn't looked so intensely. Then he cleared his throat and smiled,

"I'd like you to," I nodded and a small smile before silence fell again.

"Do you have magic?"

He smiled leaning back against the opposite wall, crossing both his legs and arms. Not answering for a moment, he only grinned like a child withelding a secret. I raised my eyebrows at him with impatience.