Thorns

How It Began

The chamber is empty when I wake. I am not surprised, but yet I'm still somewhat disappointed. An odd sense of longing fills my chest.

I push this feeling deep inside me. No need for that. I search my mind for other things to dwell on. It's probably best to explore my surroundings fully and get an idea of just how trapped I am.

Draping my legs off the side of the luxurious bed, I wiggle my toes on the cold floor. Shivering, I grab a blanket and continue getting up. My knees feel weak and I doubt my ability to stand for long. My calves groan in protest as I stumble towards the sofa the by the unlit hearth. "Sol, it's cold in here." I mumble, cursing the temperature of Tenebris's darkness. I miss Rome. I hope he escaped... Thinking of what could have happened to him sends me into a fresh fit of shaking.

I glance around the room. Though there was no light source, the walls seemed to glow. It's warm  luminance was comforting, but useless. With nothing to do my thoughts wander to how I got into this mess.

Every week Rome and I went to Blue's Cauldron to drum up business. The tavern served a bunch of shady foreigners, but hey I can't complain, they pay well. Rome had had one glass too many and was dancing on top of a table. A couple of musicians were playing a lively tune. The folksy sound of the violins was enchanting. Tapping my foot, I snorted as he started to rid himself of his shirt. I didn't notice the man who was staring a hole in my back. Grabbing two mugs of beer for Rome and myself, I spun into the person behind me, the brew sloshing onto my arms.

"Pardon me, sir, but I'm walking ere'." I growl in my thick accent. Alcohol brings it out and Rome hates it. He says it makes me sound like a man. The tall man had tussled blonde hair and brown eyes. His clothes were expensive looking and he seemed out of place. His expression was placid, but I could tell he was a stick. Stick is slang for a rich person. Usually because they walked around very stiffly in front of us "commoners." It made me sick.

"I humbly apologize for the intrusion, but I heard that you were the one I am looking for." He smiles calmly. Stupid stick. He was talking down on me. "I'm many things. Whatcha looking for?" I grumbled, impatient. I look towards Rome, who was now snogging some farmer's daughter. Man was he gonna regret that. Tomorrow we have work. I chuckle and then look back at the man. "I need a thief." He said plainly. "That I am." I smile, now interested. "It's a very protected estate, but I'm willing to pay... quite generously." I lean forward, listening intensely. "It's a small object, clear and spherical. The security measures are an 8." I cough on the sip of beer I was taking. "Eight?!" I sputter. "I'll pay you 8000 jules." He says, playing nonchalant. "Sold. Where is it?" I grin. "Tenebris's treasure hold." I narrow my eyes at him. He turns around and shuffles through a pack. Pulling out a scroll, he unrolls it and hands it to me. "This is a map of the building. I need you in and out in 12 minutes or the alarms will go off. It's all written here. 12 am, 6 days from now. Be prepared. Goodbye Rose." He stands abruptly and swiftly walks toward the exit.

As soon as he was gone I felt the warm atmosphere of the tavern returning. Looking down into my jug, I laugh. 8000, jules eh? Not bad. Not bad at all.

A noise interrupts my thoughts and I stand too abruptly. Falling backwards, I land hard onto my back. "Sol. I can't even stand!" I yell. Frustration overwhelms me and I scream again into empty space. It helps. I take my time and pull myself to my feet. I limp to the hearth, putting my hand against the wall. What am I supposed to even do? I'm alone with only a chair to stifle my boredom and it's colder than the Snow Region. I smile to myself. I'd much rather be there than here. It's one of the four regions in the Mortal Realm. There's the Snow, Sun, Rain, and, Wind. The gods weren't very creative in naming them. I guess they thought our small mortal minds couldn't handle big words. The Snow Region consists mainly of weapon forgers and blacksmiths. Fighting is a big thing up there. It's one of the many things I enjoy when visiting Snow. In the Sun Region it's all  desert. It's the land in between all the rest so it's trading central. Petty thieves thrive there. Rain consists of rainforests and marshes. It's wet and warm. They provide fruit and meat for most of the Regions. Wind is where I live. Its temperatures are mild and there's water everywhere. The ocean beside our land is where the fisherman and sailors go to work and transport goods to Sanctus Terra, The Holy Lands. That's where the stuck up gods live. And that's where I think I am.

Honestly, I'm not sure. There's a big blank when I try to think of what happened after Tenebris found me. He said he'd be back today. Why isn't he here? Is this my punishment? Being alone forever doesn't sound ideal. My thoughts continue racing as I sink against the wall. A breeze of chilling air rushes past me. I start to shake violently.
"Sorry I was gone for so long, amica mea. Had to go topside for some meetings I really didn't care about." A voice says. I sigh as relief floods through me. Tenebris appears from nowhere in particular and saunters towards me. His face seems more tired than yesterday.
"That's nice. Now what do you want with little old me?" I smile.
"Not much. Just some information." He shrugs.
"Information comes with a price." I retort.
"You want to live?"
"Most of the time."
"Then you'll tell me what I want to know."
"Will I?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because if you don't I'll kill that Rome fellow you came with." Tenebris says with a snarl, growing impatient.
"Like you could catch him." I laugh.
"I can and I did."
"I don't believe you."
Tenebris growls and throws the chair into the wall, smashing it to pieces. "I do not, nor will I ever tolerate disobedience. You will answer my questions or I will kill you." He looks disheveled. My banter has taken its toll. I smile coldly and raise my hand. "What?" He says, trying to sound calm.
"I'll tell you what I know if you do me a little favor." I say, sweetly.
"And that is..?"
"Make this room warmer. Are you trying to kill me?!"
"Okay..."
The temperature starts to rise and I let out a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding. "Thank you." I breathe. There is no need to be rude to him anymore. I gambled and got what I needed. Rubbing my arms, I try to regain some of the color I'd lost. "Now where do you want to start Tenebris?"
"Who hired you?"
"A blonde man with brown eyes. Had a slight scar on the right side of his chin. Kind of tall. He looked pretty rich."
"You don't know his name?"
"I don't ask my clients that. I provide discrepancy."
Tenebris looks into my eyes and nods. I snort and he wrinkles his nose.
"That thing you do is very unattractive." He frowns.
"What thing?"
"Snorting."
"Then stop giving me reason to." I laugh. This situation was anything but hilarious, yet I still found it funny. A god getting on to me for snorting. I really am doomed. His blue gaze was searching my eyes. He was probably trying to figure out why I wasn't panicking. Truth is, I am. I don't want to die, but it's best to be brave in the face of death. Cowering is for the weak and I am not weak.
"You're quite useless to me now." He grunts, stroking his chin. "A lot of other gods would like to have you. I know a particular god of war..." my eyes widen and I cut him off quickly. "You can do whatever you want to me, but don't send me there!" I plead. His eyes flicker with interest. "Why?" He snickers, glad to have found a weakness. I do not answer and look down at my feet. He stands and steps closer to me. My breathe catches. He raises his hand and lightly cups my face. His eyes soften. "What did my brother do to you?" " Gazing into his eyes I shudder. He looks at me with such intensity. I don't like it. "Nothing you wouldn't do." I spat, stepping away, but he wasn't listening. He seemed  to be contemplating something. He finally sighed and looks down at me. "I will have someone escort you to your new chambers. You will be staying there until I find a punishment that best.. suits you." With that, he vanishes, leaving me confused. I blink a couple times. He's definitely gone.

Oops. That was 1560 words.... whatever idc.
           ~Duck