Kamaria's Light

Chapter Five

I now know there's something worse than dying. I roll my eyes as I listen to the High Council's enforcer, his name forgotten to me, drone on and on as he tries to get me to trip up and incriminate myself in my father's...mess.

It's been days since I was handed off to the High Council, I'm kept better than I was previously, no beatings, probably because of Agent Vask's threat. But I'd gladly take a beating right now than listen to this enforcer, with his smug smile and tiny animalistic eyes as he blathers on.

"You enjoy the sound of your own voice too much." I sigh as he pauses to take a breath. "I'm still relatively new to this interrogation thing, but aren't you supposed to ask me some questions?"

"Your guilt has already been established." he narrows his already tiny eyes at me. "the only thing I need from you is to tell me where your father is. Then maybe—" He smiles. "—there would be leniency for your crimes."
"And what crimes would those be?" I spit at him as I grip the armrests of the chair tighter to keep myself from launching myself over the table right at him.

"Treason, of course." He smirks. "you attempted to flee the planet once your father's plan to take over failed."

"I didn't ask for that" I grit my teeth. "I didn't ask for any of this." I curse myself as a sob escapes my mouth. I never wanted to end up being threatened with death on a daily basis, I was happy with my life, happy to ignore the darker aspects of life for other people because it didn't concern me...and worst of all, I'm angry at my father for forcing me into this situation. But I definitely won't give this smug little creature the satisfaction of admitting all that out loud.
A few deep breathes later, the anger has subsided, buried deep down where I won't have to deal with it right now. "I don't know where my father is." I meet his eyes.  "and even if I did. I'd never tell you."

The Enforcer scoffs as he makes his way to the exit. "you'll beg for death soon enough, Lady Orvos."

"I won't give you the satisfaction!" I shout as the door closes, feeling an odd sense of victory.

***

The day blurs by, I'm almost disappointed  the Enforcer doesn't return. The only visitor to my rather drably furnished room, which is still most definitely aboard a ship, judging by the utilitarian furniture and design of the room. Is a rather sour faced guard who delivers my daily meal. A formless lump of brown sludge that thankfully tastes better than it smells.

I'm halfway through my 'meal' when the only door to my room opens and in steps a new visitor.

Her cold gray eyes watch me as I take her in, tall, athletic build, black boots, dark form fitting pants topped off with a dark gray coat trimmed with fiery orange at the cuffs and collar. She has the grace of a lady of the court but there's a coldness to her, something that screams for me to run. Her face is framed in short dark curls that add a weird sort of softness to her otherwise sharp demeanor.
Her eyes pin me as a smile spreads across her face. "Lady Orvos. We have much to talk about."

My response dies on my lips as she turns and exits without another word. I drop my spoon into my the remnants of my meal, appetite vanished, replaced by a cold sense of dread.
Just who was that?

***

"I just want you to know that I think it's beneath my skills to be asked to question you." her slightly odd voice like a razor drizzled in syrup fills the room as she watches me from across the interrogation room. My mysterious visitor from the day before.

Words form and die in my throat as I struggle to form a reply. A slow, almost knowing smile spreads across her face exposing her perfect teeth to me. I push my chair slightly further away from the table as I clear my throat. "who exactly are you?" I find myself unable to hold eye contact with her for more than a few seconds.

"That's not important." I watch her push off the wall and glide across the room before she gracefully deposits herself in the only other chair in the room...directly across form mine. "what is important is that I discover just how complicit you are in your father's treasonous attempt to usurp the authority of our noble rulers."

"Good luck." I scoff at her. "you won't be the first to try."

"Hmm." she steeples her hands together and peers at me. "oh, I already know enough about you. You're a spoilt lordling so used to a life of comfort that a few days away from it all has you angry at your own father. And yet—" she smiles. "—yet even now you refuse to betray him. You really are unlike your mother. "

" What does she have to do with this? " I manage. The room feels smaller, I hug myself as an odd feeling drifts into me, an odd feeling, like my thoughts have slowed, like wading through waist high water...

"Its ironic" she leans back. "she was quick to denounce your father when I visited her, and yet you're the one who's being accused of treason for displaying loyalty to your father."

"Who are you?" a cold creeps through me as she deepens her gaze.

"Well..." she grins at me. "...seeing as how I'm peering through your mind right now. You may call me Velantri...and I can't wait to see just what else you're hiding in your head."