The Power Within (On hold)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

           

“You have dissapointed me Jake.” The rich, powerful voice filled his head with misleading images and feelings of happiness and contentment.

            He struggled against the bonds that bit painfully into his bare skin, the rusting metal table cold underneath him. “That was the point.” He growled, unashamed for what he had done.

            A chuckle filled the tall room, echoing eerily. “Still defiant I see.”

            A rustle to his left. “I could fix that my lord.” A new voice interjected.

            “No… not yet. Jake, I will ask you once more. Atone for your betrayal and pledge yourself to me again  and all might be forgiven. With some punishment of course.” The voice wormed itself into his mind, befuddling his thoughts and intentions. But he had been resisting it for some time now and the magical words were easy to ignore, like the buzzing of flies.

            “Never!” He shouted.

            Suddenly there was harsh breath on his face, the shadows thrown from the crackling fire concealing the face. “You need to rethink this, meum frater, because this may cost you your life. I don’t want to hurt you, but you are on dangerous ground.” The face hissed angrily.

            Jake hissed right back. “Not on your life!” He spat. The face retreated.

            “So be it. Tortuosius, you may begin.” The voice said gravely, a hint of sadness in it.

            Jake braced himself, he really did. But he wasn’t prepared for what they did to him in the end.

            The sound of his agonized screams echoed in the chamber.

            “NO!” Jake screamed, sitting bolt upright.

            He sat there for a moment, panting, then glanced over in the hopes of seeing a concerned Elenora staring at him. No such luck. But then, when did he ever have luck.

            Jake rested his head in his hands, trying to reign in the torrent of emotions that were unleashed when the nightmares haunted him. The nightmares varied, probably because it couldn’t decide which one of his horrendous memories was the most terrifiying.

            He wasn’t surprised, but was still just as ashamed as ever to feel the wetness on his cheeks. He was being a baby. Worse then that, a coward.

            He fell asleep again, the nightmares leaving him alone, trying not to think.

            When he awoke it was to find that he had sometime in the night crawled over to Elenora and curled up beside her, taking her in his arms and nestling his face in her hair.

            Jake allowed himself the luxury of feeling her against him for a moment, then got up and packed up the camp.

             How he missed Elenora’s company! Without her all of the pain and memories and nightmares came flooding back on him, as if she alone had given him peace. Now they had returned with vigor. He had to get her healed, and soon, lest he go out of his mind with the emotional pain that was slowly destroying his sanity. Maybe once she was healed they would…

            But it isn’t proper, he argued with himself. Jake scowled, cursing the logical side of his personality. But it was right, like it usually was. Elenora was a princess, and just sleeping beside her at night was scandalous. Who did he think he was, allowing himself and Elenora to be led on? And even if what the Dark Lord had said was true… but no, he wasn’t even going to think of that. He couldn’t allow himself to think like that.