The Breaking Wheel

Chapter 47: A New Plan

Daas swallowed nervously as he watched the giant cobra slither back and forth in the dark, empty space. Naga had pulled him into a dream to discuss his plan yet again. Next to him, a black scorpion also sat crouched, trembling in fear.

"So, Master, what are you planning next?" Daas tried to keep his voice as calm as possible. But in the back of his mind, he knew that it was futile. The magic keeping him a slave to the serpent would allow the latter to read both his thoughts and his emotions.

"That, I will reveal to you later, but I have already initiated the very first step. I know Collingwood's schedule. Now, Yantrana," this was directed to the scorpion, "once the staff lunch break begins, you are to go to the spot I direct you to and sting Lawrence or Collingwood. Either will do, but I would prefer the former."

"The Sting of Agony, or the Sting of Death?" asked the scorpion.

Please let it be the latter, please let it be the latter, please let it be-

"The Sting of Agony," declared the serpent. Daas's heart grew heavy. The Sting of Death made the victim collapse into near-death. There was no cure. If Yantrana were to use it upon someone at sunrise, they would be dead by the end of the day. The only mercy given to those in the throes of the Sting of Death was that it was painless. But the Sting of Agony caused blinding pain beyond all measure. Even men with twisted minds who enjoyed the sensation of pain would find it too much for them. Once Naga had sent Yantrana to use the Sting upon someone who was physically unable to feel pain. The man killed himself upon experiencing it for the first time, and excruciating pain at that.

Yantrana hated being in Naga's service as much as Daas did. The scorpion looked intimidating, but in actuality he was harmless unless compelled by Naga's orders. He was one of a sapient race of scorpions. In the past, those scorpions had been numerous, but now they had nearly died out.

"Daas! Listen!"

Daas's head snapped up, making him stare directly into his master's glowing golden eyes. He shrank back. Seemingly satisfied, the serpent turned to Yantrana.

"Lawrence may have experience with injury, but none will come even slightly close to the Sting of Agony," Naga said with relish. "Teach him what true suffering is, Yantrana!"