Valadel

Chapter XVI

"Tytus!"   

Danticus lurched up from where he was lying, or at least tried to. Confusion settled across his face. He was tied down to a table, though loosely. Whoever had tied him down did so quickly, and without thought. He wriggled his arms, and the ropes easily slipped off. He sat up and felt his chest, where he had been stabbed. In place of what he expected to be open wounds were instead scars that seemed to be years healed. He realized he was naked and lying atop a table, covered only with a loincloth. An orange firelight glowed from a hallway and shadows danced on the walls. He stood up from the table and reached for the sword at his waist only to realize it wasn't there.

Danticus felt uneasy, and looked around for his gear. He searched the wardrobes, dressers and chests, which were all surprisingly functioning. He found an old pair of cloth and leather pants, which he strapped on. He slowly followed the orange fire light down the hallway, cautious of whatever he may encounter. He came across a door and took the knob in his hand. He gave it a twist, but the damn thing was locked. He cursed under his breath and kept on down the hallway.

"How do you know? He may not be," he heard someone say from behind the locked door. The voice sounded like a female.

"I just do. He's a man. Men are vicious, irrational. Nothing good has come from them. It's been that way for as long as I can remember," he heard a second voice say. This one he registered as a male, an older one at that.

"But uncle, what if he's not. What if they've changed! How are you so sure we're the only ones left?"

"Believe me, Aryanne...I just know..."

The sound of a door bursting open came from inside the room.

"He's gone!" Said another male voice. This one had youth to it.

"What?!" Said the first male voice. "How? When? You were supposed to be watching him!"

"I stepped away for a minute! How was I to know the dead man would get up and walk around!" Said the young voice.

"He's not dead. I healed him, like I did the other one," said the female voice.

"Whatever the case, just find him! Valyn, look outside the barricade, but stay on guard. Aryanne, look within the rest of our respite. Just hurry please, before he finds his weapons. Who knows what he'll do when he finds them."

"Yes uncle," they both said. Danticus heard footsteps approaching the door he was listening through. He panicked and quickly backed away, hiding behind the door as it opened. As she closed it, he grabbed the woman from behind, cupping his hand over her mouth and wrapping his other arm over hers. He dragged her around into where he had awoken as she struggled to break free.

Danticus went close to her ear, and whisperers quietly as he could. "I'm going to let you go. I promise, I don't want to harm you. I just want to speak with you. Nod if you understand."

She slowly did so and he released her. She quickly scurried away from him, and her panic faded. She studied him with eyes full of curiosity as he did to her. Her skin was a porcelain shade of white, paler than any skin he had ever seen before. Her hair was long and black, reaching her lower waist in the form of a braid. Her eyes were a deep, golden color, almost orange. Between her golden eyes was a small, pointy nose. She was covered in grimy, tattered clothing, what once seemed to be robes fit for a noblewoman. The more Danticus studied her, the more her beauty became apparent. She had a naïve, innocent look in her eyes, and they reminded him of his own.

"What's your name?" He asked.

She didn't answer for several moments. Finally she said "Aryanne," her voice smooth and silky, with a strange accent he'd never heard.