Regret

Chapter 7 - The Neglected Cellar, Part I

Chapter Seven

THE NEGLECTED CELLAR, PART I

Cold water splashed her face.

Valye coughed, blinking.

Her senses, first a trickle, then a flood, slammed into her. Memories followed them – fragments, slowly weaving themselves together.

I'm tied. I'm tied to a chair.

She raised her head and stopped – her neck hurt, badly. No need to push it. Her eyes looked around, wandering. This is the barrack's cellar. He – I think it's a he – he must've moved me here. Why?

Could it be the inquisition? ...no. Barrentz knew he could reach her without resorting to this. He'd given assurances that, "for the time" he was finished. This was somebody else.

The cellar smelled dank & dusty – it was largely unused, even before the fire. Several stone pillars, looking too small for their load, reached up to the low ceiling. Her lamp sat on an empty wine keg beside her, traces of her blood on its bronze base. The candle glowed, even, loyal. Even its faint light felt altogether too bright on her eyes.

Before her, another stone-hewn wall, sagging somewhat, in need of repair. That means the kitchen's stairwell is behind me.

Her nose throbbed, a dull ache that felt like it belonged to somebody else. She wet her lips with the water trickling down her scalp, across her face. Her tongue could feel crusted blood on them, and another gash tender to touch.

My cheek may be broken, but that's it. He didn't hit me anywhere else.

"You're awake? Good." His voice was dull, uninterested.

She coughed – fresh blood, salty & metallic, dribbled out over her lips. Valye hadn't been out for more than a day, she was sure. Maybe a few hours.

"Show yourself," she said.

"I am."

What does he mean? Her head pulsed, in agony. She had been in Kiva's room. Something tipped her senses. He hit her, hard; it would've killed a normal person she was sure.

She hadn't seen him. Kiva's room had been empty, but he'd kept hitting her. The barracks had been empty.

The palace... my family. No struggles. So that's how you did it.

"You're invisible," she said.

He chuckled, a spark in his voice, like watching a toddler take their first steps. "There's a little more to it than that."

Valye closed her eyes. They'd only mislead her now. She took in a deep breath & stilled herself.

Her heart beat in her chest, not racing. Calm. Even, like her lamp.

He's walking. He's walking behind me. I can hear him. He's very quiet, but not that quiet.

"Where did you put the King's Key?" he asked. His voice was bored again, as though he'd done this many times before.

Maybe he has. But not with me.

"Are you with the inquisition?" she said.

A hand fell upon her shoulder, then down to her abdomen, lifting up her maille – she was still dressed for the funeral ceremony. The cool cellar air caressed her skin. Her muscles tensed.

He punched her in the side, where her ribs were healing from being broken upon the palace parapets.

Valye coughed, blood flying out, drooling onto her chair. She opened her eyes but still, he wasn't visible.