The Ties that Bind Me Book 1

A Promise Happily Kept

My nights with Sarki were strenuous to say the least. He taught me new weapons all the time and how to use each one in turn. It went on like that for weeks and I learned what my strength was truly for. The swords, the knives, axes and spears. Each weapon used a different muscle in my arms shoulders and back. It was a wonderful experience and he moved like lightning. After about a month he would pick up random weapons and attack me with them. I was getting good at fending him off and I was quite proud of myself. I have a knack for learning and he used this to his advantage, he used it to make me more proficient in ways I never thought that weapons could be used. We never talked much, he was more of a visual teacher than someone to walk you through the steps and that suited me just fine.

Since we had been outed he started to teach me in what I had started to call the gym. It had rooms for everything one could think of and the weapons room had quickly become my favorite. I would practice even after Sarki had left me to my own devices. I had learned from him that only a select few people had guns and that they were only used for executions. That thought stalled me for a moment but I regained myself quickly as he had attacked me after that bit of information.

It was a month later when he finally said that I had learned all that I could teach him and he left me to my planning. I was in the library a lot planning our escape and looking at maps of not just the compound but the surrounding areas as well. I had also started to store food, water and resorted to thieving a few supplies that we would need in the desert heat. I copied maps and kept them in a bound book I had created while studying many other things. It was my resource on how to get us away from that accursed country and somewhere safer. My plans were going smoothly and each day spent between the library and scouting around for supplies furthered my end considerably.

I was shocked one day when I found Inara in my room. She had done well at avoiding me and keeping her distance since she knew what I was up to. I saw her rooting through my books and supply a wide grin on her face. Her unfriendly eyes devoured me and I was more than angry at her intrusion.

"I have you now you soppy eyed twit. As soon as I tell Ghassan that you are planning to breakout he will kill you for sure and I can have Lolek to myself once more. I was biding my time my dear, waiting for your slip up and well, here it is. He eyes twinkled with glee and an oily smile spread across her lips.

I smiled back at her and looked over at everything she had pulled out. "Yes dear Inara you found me out. Congratulations because if it wasn't for Ghassan telling you to check on me you would never have mustered the courage to face me. That is alright though I have been waiting for you to cross my path my dear. I have a gift for you; call it a repayment if you will."

I moved over to her slowly but she didn't seem to notice the dagger in my hand. Her eyes were focused on my face and my face alone. For a split second I wondered how she had managed to survive with her naivety, but her body spoke the volumes her brain did not. As soon as I touched her shoulder she blanched a bit but she didn't step back.

"You know Inara you are not the only one who knows how to bide her time. I have been waiting a long time to tell you a few things and I think that now you are ready to hear them. For one you are insane, psychotic and obsessed with someone who doesn't want a thing to do with you. Two, I have yet to thank you for putting me into Ghassan's tender care, giving me the strength I needed to fight for what I wanted." I pressed the dagger into her body and felt her skin give way so easily. Her face contorted in pain and I was still smiling at her. "Three I figured since Ghassan doesn't seem to have the same impulses around you that he did around me; well I would repay the debt myself. One more thing before I forget. This will be a very painful death for you, and no one will hear you scream."

I placed a nearby rag in her mouth and twisted her around. I used the dagger to puncture her lung and her eyes widened in surprise and I watched as her blood pooled on the floor around us. I quickly turned her around to watch her last few painful moments before her life slipped away. Tears fell from her eyes and onto my hands as I held her face with my now blood soaked hands.

I looked at her and smiled, for I could feel the weight of one problem lift off my shoulders. "And thus your life's ending will bring another one to being. Goodbye Inara."