The Memory of Darkness (on hold until October)

20 - Depraved Indifference

"Should I wake him up?"

"No, let him rest a bit longer. It's probably the first decent rest he's had since... how long was he in there?"

"I don't know. Gideon reckoned a month at least. I suppose I'll just leave this food here for him."

Food. The mention of the word stirred Lorcan from his shallow sleep. He opened his eyes to see Darien placing a tray on a nearby table.

Runa noticed him wake, and smiled encouragingly. "How are you feeling now?"

"Better," said Lorcan. "Much better." He yawned and stretched, relieved that the movement caused him far less discomfort than it had done previously. "What did you do?" he asked. He could remember the strong smell of herbs, and after that, nothing until the talk of food.

Runa smiled. "A combination of poultices and good old fashioned, illegal magic. She raised her hand, showing pulses of golden light beneath the skin. "Sorry for sending you to sleep, but I work better without distractions."

"Don't worry about it," said Lorcan, distracted by her hand.

"Eat something," ordered Darien. "You're skinny as a rake."

Lorcan eyed the tray of food, his mouth watering. He took a bite of a slice of pie, forcing himself to eat slowly despite the urge to devour the whole thing in one go. There was no need for that. These people had saved him, for whatever reason. They weren't about to offer him delicious food, only to take it away while laughing in his face. That time had passed. He was free, and he would die before he went back there.

"Will there be scars?" he asked, between mouthfuls of pie.

Runa nodded. "Sorry. You were a mess. It shouldn't be too bad, but there'll be something."

"Not important," said Lorcan, though his mood did sink a little at the news. "Thank you, for what you did."

"You're quite welcome," said Runa. "I'll try and find you some clean clothes. If you want a bath you're stuck with the stream outside; it's rather bracing at this time of year."

"Maybe later," said Lorcan, taking another mouthful of pie.

Once she had departed, Darien regarded the boy carefully, pursing his lips. "So," he said after a while. "Necromancy, was it?"

Lorcan nodded silently, his mouth still full.

"I've never met one of you before," said Darien. "You don't look like I expected."

"What did you expect?" asked Lorcan.

Darien shrugged. "Older, taller, not so... alive. In stories they always seem to be dead, but still raising havoc. What did you do to end up in Castle Henniger?"

Lorcan looked at him, his eyes wide. "Do you really want to know?"

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise," replied Darien.

"I killed people," said Lorcan. "They raped and murdered my friend, and they were going to get away with it. Now they're dead." He watched Darien closely for any signs of disgust or outrage. The man merely folded his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Did you use Necromancy for that?" he asked.

"Yes," said Lorcan. "Most people thought they'd been attacked by wild animals."