Shadows of Voryn

Chapter Forty-Two

T'ara

"Get the fucking traitor now!" A deep croaky tone, pierced the caged room, T'ara standing on guard. She was unable to sleep with the man provoking her through the entire night and she knew if she dropped her defense, it would be her mistake.

Two men came to the cage, eyes trained on her. "Step back," one of the men snarled, pointing a sword at her if she tried to escape.

Grimacing, she took a step back. She had no intention of trying to escape but they didn't know that. T'ara come here for a purpose. They stepped in, grabbing her, and placed a cuff around her neck. A chain was attached, the taller men gripping it firmed, then yanking it. T'ara didn't move, ignoring the strain of the cuff pressing against her windpipe. They thought because she was a woman and lean build, she'd be easily dragged around. It was a hyena's choice to collude with a human or not.

   His eyes bulged, gritting his teeth, and wanting to put her in her place. If she didn't comply, he'd have to find another way to intimidate or threaten her but she wouldn't give him those options either. She would make it clear it was her choice to walk. Right as he opened his mouth, she took a step forward, startling him to move back, thinking she was about to attack. T'ara stopped and gave a feign look of confusion. "Aren't we to go?"

   His forehead creased, the embarrassment clear from his flushed cheeks, the other guard looking between them.

"See you on arena, hybrid," the man in cage purred from behind.

T'ara did not bother to face him, being guided away.

They took T'ara through a narrow hall, thin enough for her to brush her arms on both sides. There was hardly any light. The walls were made of sharp curved stone.

T'ara could hear screams and chants as she moved closer to it. In an opening, fire lanterns lit up her crowded surrounding, men dressed in guard clothing she wasn't familiar with, standing and showing no emotion. Men and woman screamed in a closed room environment. Money in hand as they had a clear space, blood splattered on the smooth stone floor to mark where the fights were held. She stepped into the narrow clearing the crowd made before it opened widely, the sight of T'ara coming in, inciting the crowd in an uproar. This was not an arena but a fighting pit, barely wide enough to run more than a few seconds across.

Someone tossed lettuce and tomatoes at her when she stepped further in. She watched as a man pissed in front of her, many laughing. A woman came, skin dirty and crusty, rubbing mud over T'ara's skin.

   "Marrok. Marrok." The crowd began chanting a name.

   T'ara turned to find the man who been taunting her all night walking forward arrogantly. He stood several steps away. "Marrok. Marrok." He chanted his own name, his dark eyes gleaming toward with sadistic smirk, waving to the crowd.

"Your Master must be mad to send you to such a place." The woman grinned at T'ara, teeth yellow and chipped.

"Leave." It was Forqo, stepping in place of woman. His eyes peered over T'ara, shaking head in disapproval. "What fucking plan do you have?"

She hadn't expected to see Forqo here, being forgotten until her time here no longer held value. "There is no plan. Only to understand."

Forqo glared, suspiciously. "You spoke of a rebellion to my hyena's..."

"They are not your hyena's. They are not mines. They choose who to follow and listen to use. There is a difference." Forqo was about to show temper but she continued. "They listen to you...because, you are loyal to them. You are, them."