Gods of Garran

The Gods of Garran: Chapter 39

A novel by Meredith Skye

* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *

Koethe's guards dragged Morrhan back to a hastily constructed cement bunker, the kind that the Chanden used for war. Koethe followed them, scowling darkly. The walls were lined with crates of supplies and a few bunks were spread out in the large room.

"Where is my daughter?" demanded Koethe. She had just walked out into a sandstorm after giving both the Chanden and the Garrans ultimatums.

"I have nothing to do with this. She is in the control of the god-stone," insisted Morrhan.

"Then tell me how to reverse it."

"I don't know!" insisted Morrhan.

"Show him we mean it," said Koethe coldly.

One of the guards pulled out a black nightstick and began beating Morrhan with it. The man hit him on the shoulder and the arms. Then he butted him in the stomach with it, leaving Morrhan winded.

"Well?" asked Koethe.

"I have nothing to hide!" said Morrhan. "I've told you everything." By now he was on his knees. His hands were still cuffed behind his back.

Koethe brooded on this a moment. "You are of a southern tribe ... the Sand Plain Clan? Am I right?"

Morrhan looked up at him, wondering what treachery Koethe was planning.

"You value your family?" Koethe said thoughtfully. With that, he turned and strolled towards the door. "Loosen his tongue," was all he said as he left.

Together, the three guards surrounded Morrhan. One of them pulled him to his feet. Unsteady, Morrhan tried to moved away from them, but one of them grabbed him and threw him headlong into the cement wall.

With his hands cuffed behind him, Morrhan had no way to break his fall. He hit the wall and fell, to the laughter of the men. "You seem a little imbalanced," one of them said. They got him back up. Someone turned him around abruptly and another man punched him in the stomach. Morrhan doubled over in pain, landing on his knees. For a moment, he felt nauseated.

"Can't seem to keep on your feet," said another.

Morrhan's mind raced. What had Koethe meant about his family being valuable? They still had Rheggi and Sindke. Would they harm them? Kill them?

Someone kicked him from behind and Morrhan fell face first to the ground. He lay there, almost glad to be on the ground again. But soon they pulled him back up to his feet.

"You should tell them what they want to know," said another guard.

"I can't—" The man punch Morrhan in the face, sending him reeling backwards to the ground. A few tears escaped Morrhan. Soon, they lifted him back to his feet.

"Please!" cried Morrhan.

"What's the matter?" asked one of the guards. "He's crying!" They all laughed.

"We're just getting warmed up," said another as he hit one shin and then the other with his nightstick.

Morrhan wasn't sure how much time passed—at least 20 minutes or more. He was exhausted by the time Koethe returned. The men stood at attention and Morrhan slumped to his knees.

Koethe towered over him.

"I'm through playing games with you, Garran," spat Koethe. "It's time you cooperated."

"No," said Morrhan stubbornly. "I don't think so." The beating had only served to harden him to Commander Koethe and his gang.

Koethe nodded to Captain Fauke, who disappeared from the doorway a moment.