Sword of Stars

Chapter Twenty Six. Questions.

Garek’s screams penetrated the canvas walls of his prison. Pain so intense wracked his entire body and made him see white spots in the darkness of his tightly closed eyes.

The pain stopped and Garek breathed deeply, gulping in the sweet air of life.

Bedlam was standing in front of him in the dark tent. A wicked grin split his face as it always did. His gold eye slightly glazed over as if in a trance.

Garek brain swam but he managed a thought. How is he doing this to me? He doesn’t move a muscle and I feel pain. He looked down at his body and found no blood or cuts of any kind. Not even welts or bruises. It felt like he should be knee deep in his own blood.

“Hmm I guess a question is in order,” Bedlam finally spoke. He tapped his lips with slender fingers as he pondered. “Ah, why are you here?”

Garek coughed and then let out a rugged laugh. “I’m here because you put me here.”

Anger flashed across Bedlam’s face then he smiled. Pain exploded all over Garek’s body and he cried out in pain. It went on and on until he felt his body convulsing violently. Then, as suddenly as it had come, it was gone.

Bedlam frowned a little and then he called to the guard outside.

“M-my Lord?” the man stammered. Garek could see they were afraid of this monster and rightly so. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for them.

Bedlam put out his hand. “Your dagger.”

The man drew his dagger and handed it to Bedlam, hilt first. He then dismissed the man with a wave of the hand. The guard saluted then hurried out.

“Perhaps getting some blood flowing will loosen your tongue.” Bedlam smiled as he put the tip of the dagger on Garek’s left breast. “Already you have a nice collection of scars, Swordbearer,” he said as he looked Garek over. “How about a lovely new one?”

“You monster,” Garek wheezed.

“The Casters are planning something aren’t they? Why don’t you tell me what you know?” Bedlam said, ignoring Garek’s insult.

Garek chuckled. “I guess you’ll know once you and your bitch of a mother is destroyed.”

“Don’t you dare speak of mother with that filthy tongue!” Bedlam screamed.

Wow, Garek thought, seems I hit a nerve there. Can I use this to my advantage?

In his rage Bedlam stabbed into Garek with the dagger and slowly dragged the blade down his chest and across his muscled stomach. Garek screamed as he was cut open, feeling hot blood stream down his body, trailing down his pants and legs.

Somehow, even though the pain caused by Bedlam’s Chaos was more intense, being physically cut was worse. Nothing compared to the burning and the constant throb of an open wound.

“Maybe that will teach you to watch your mouth around your superiors,” Bedlam snapped.

Garek grinned inwardly and had to stop himself from opening his mouth to retort. His new wound burned and stung and he didn’t feel like adding to that pain.

“Answer me!” Bedlam yelled in Garek’s face.

Garek meet his eye and breathed heavily, not responding.

“Bah.” Bedlam threw the dagger across the tent then pointed at Garek. “You better be ready to answer me when I get back.” He turned on his heels and stormed out of the tent.

For a being that’s not human, he sure acts surprisingly human, Garek thought. Or is it that we act like them? That’s what Bedlam had claimed wasn’t it? We were made in the image of Khaos…