Araman

~ 19 ~

   With great effort Kassen lifted his body off the cold, damp stone floor, making the chains that held him to the wall clink; a reminder that he was still a prisoner.

He grimaced as he watched light from the single barred window, crawl its way across the floor towards him.

Once the rays reached him, Dergen would arrive and continue his interrogation as to where the Araman was. This consisted of beating and starving him.

Kassen fought back as best he could. One man he hadn't seen in his cell since he received a nasty kick to the head. The memory gave him the strength to stand, ready for the days 'questioning.' He would not give Dergen the satisfaction of thinking he could be broken. His body had gone through far worse before.

The General leant against the wall for a moment. He could just see the top of the trees through the iron bars and closed his eyes to remember the few days before he ended up in Verxia's dungeon.

After he had freed himself from the tree that Raliena had stuck him to, he had wandered back to camp, not sure what else to do. At first people were confused by his explanation. To them, it didn't make sense that an Araman would not want to kill a Unisayan. It was her duty and what she was brought up to do.

Then Dergen started yelling wild claims that Kassen had sent people to kidnap Sa Raliena or he had tried to touch her and she had run away. Kassen had never seen him so worked up before, but Kassen was starting to realise that this composed man had a weakness in the form of the Araman.

The influence Dergen held over the people and their confusion at the General's explanation fuelled their fury and Kassen had soon been tied up and dragged back to Verxia to answer to the King.

Derio had managed to escape in the confusion and would no doubt be well on his way to Attashar to tell them what had happened. Kassen hoped it would not spark a war, but he was also not certain he would live to find out.

First he had felt betrayed by Raliena, leaving him and the kingdoms without thinking of the consequences, but when he thought back to that kiss, when her soft, sweet lips had pressed against his. It had felt apologetic and almost desperate.

Who knew what had passed between her and the Unisayan when she had held its horn.

The sound of bolts being pulled from the door made Kassen straighten and fold his arms across his chest, ready for a fight.

To his surprise only Dergen entered before the door was locked again behind him.

"Just you left to yield then, Dergen." Kassen managed to sound stronger than he felt. At least the fighting had prevented his muscles from depleting so fast, but he was rapidly getting weaker from lack of food. They gave him only bread once a day which he tried to make last.

"We shall see." Dergen replied with a mocking smile. He stood in front of Kassen and studied him callously. "The King wants you dead."

"Does your influence know no bounds?"

"I have not found any so far."

Kassen scoffed. "So he is willing to start a war on hearsay."

"You do not have to be dead to start a war." Dergen grinned wickedly. "It would just be so much more satisfying."

"Then do it." Kassen said through gritted teeth, pulling his arms forward as much as the restricting chains allowed, his hands curled into fists.

Dergen stepped forward unperturbed, his arms still behind his back. When he was inches from Kassen's face he held a key up close to the General, who kept his eyes on the advisor, trying to resist the urge to step back from the close proximity.

"Just tell me where she went." Dergen whispered conspiratorially. "I can get you home where Attashar can keep you safe. Just tell me where Raliena went."

Kassen regarded the advisor passively. He was aware that having them think he knew where Raliena was, had kept him alive so far. Also it pleased him to see Dergen so frantic over not knowing; his eyes were almost feverish.

"She unnerves you, doesn't she." He questioned leaning in to invade Dergen's own space. "And is most likely the only person who does."

"You have no idea of her importance." Dergen replied tightly, as if trying to cover that his weakness had been discovered.

"I know that she will discover what you are planning. And she will stop you."

"Is that so?" Dergen was clearly trying to reign in his anger and turned his back on Kassen.

He was losing his composure and Kassen wondered how far he could push him.

"You will fall at her feet Dergen, her strength is far greater than what you could hope to possess..."

"TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!" Dergen spat turning on his heel to face Kassen who grinned back.

"Never, you sadistic son of a..."

A low growl escaped Dergen who launched himself at the unprepared General and held him to the wall by the collar of his shirt.

"The Araman is mine, General!" Spittle formed on his sneering lips. "And you will soon see what great strength I possess."

Kassen clenched his fist ready to punch Dergen, when he felt his feet rising off the ground, a feat that should not be possible for a man of Dergen's stature.

"You will learn your place just as she will learn hers. And then we shall see who is on their knees."

Dergen dropped Kassen so suddenly that he crumpled on the floor, feeling drained and disorientated.

Dergen called for someone at the door and Kassen heard a plate being kicked across the floor towards him, a piece of bread rolling off and resting by his hand.

"Eat well, General." Dergen said, once more composed. "For it will be your last meal in Verxia."