Chapter 10 What sort of monster is he?
Ira’s POV
“What did he say?” A voice says from the end of the hall.
“The commander said to dispose of the body.” another voice informs calmly, as though they aren't talking about a human.
I watch silently as they drag out the man who'd screamed earlier.
His face, although pale and unconscious, is squeezed in agony. He certainly hadn't died a good death.
The sound of his cell door being shut echoes down the hall.
“Really the commander needs to do something about this. Whatever poison has been killing people randomly is so strong even the wolves and can't compare.” A voice says right before two men in white robes walk pass.
“Don't you find it strange… that every month someone new dies?” the other man whispers but clearly he sucks at it as I clearly hear him.
I glance towards the end of the hall, picking up another footstep. A woman comes into view.
Her hair is disheveled, her left hand in a sling but I can tell she's one of the health workers.
Her eyes shift and she holds my gaze with a deep look of pity. But just as quickly, she looks away. It's in that silence that the thought hits me.
They probably think I’m next.
The next cold body they’ll carry out.
I retreat to a corner, resting my head on the wall as silence settles once more within the cells. The minutes that follow pass by in a blur. But sadly it doesn't take away the maddening ache in my head nor the pain all over my body.
This time I don't hear anyone approaching so when the lock of my cell clicks open, I finch, lifting my head from the cold brick.
A female guard gently pushes the door open, her eyes focused on me.
“Get up.” It's a command, but she says it so warmly I contemplate how important it is for me to do as told.
Then in three seconds I'm up on my feet. Behind her are two other men dressed exactly like her.
She looks just as tall as they are. Her black hair is neatly tied up in a bun. Her skin tanned and well oiled, yet beyond her beauty, I know is a strength just like the rest of them.
“Bring her out,” she says to the men and I step back.
Where are you taking me? Why can't you just leave me alone?!
The men march forward. One takes my hand while the other pushes my back. I don't struggle mostly because I don't have the strength to. So I allow them lead me out of the cell.
But then I stagger.
The woman moves before I hit the ground, her warm hand closing around my arm, firm but not rough.
“Easy,” she says quietly.
When we step out of the prison into the sun, I take in a deep breath, savouring the heat.
Then we walk, for what feels like forever. My bare feet feel sore against the damp floor but the guards show no sign of stopping anytime soon.
“W..where are you taking me?” I stutter, glancing back at the men walking behind us.
“Your name?” She asks, avoiding my question.
“Ira,” I mutter.
She nods slightly, almost to herself.
I stumble on a broken tile, and swiftly she slips one arm around my waist to steady me.
Heck she's slender, but stronger than she looks.
“You tried to stab the commander,” she states, her eyes fixed on something in the distance.
“I wasn’t going to let him touch me,” I say truthfully.
She glances at me, not once slowly down. “He has let people rot in their cells for less things. Count yourself lucky he’s sending you to the servants’ quarters.”
My head jerks toward her. “Servants’ quarters?”
“What city are you from?” she asks, turning a corner.
So you can ask me questions but I can't. Got it.
“Velmora.” I say.
“Hmm,” she murmurs as we turn into a vast courtyard. “And how old are you?”
“Nineteen,” I've barely said the word when I catch sight of where we're headed. Immediately I stop walking.
My body locks as my eyes focus on the rows of warriors standing in formation,
Shit, what if they plan to use me as a scapegoat?
A man excruciating scream, accompanied by a sickening grunt fills the atmosphere.
“Walk, Ira,” the woman orders softly. “Your duty is to Commander Ruel. From today, you’ll do as he says. You’ll wait on him until he has use of you.” her tone is final but I don't obey, finding it nearly impossible to shift my gaze away from the gruesome sight before me.
Thick muscles flex under soaked shirt as his fist crashes into the man's face again, and again.
He doesn't stop until the man becomes unconscious and then he lifts his head, dark hair falling over his eyes, his knuckles stained with blood.
No one interferes. Not a sound. As though no one else dares to breathe.
He looks unbothered as if beating people until they faint is just a common hobby. He's not breathing hard, not looking mad… just neutral. In fact he looks bored.
What sort of a monster is he?
His gaze moves around and then they find me.
Fear crawls inside my chest but hopefully I wouldn't need more than one of his punches to knock me out so I'll barely feel the pain of whatever is coming next.
His eyes narrow but he doesn’t seem surprised to see me. Like he already knew I was being brought like a broken dog to him.
He tilts his head slightly, whispering something to the man who'd dragged me out of his room last night.
The slightly leaner man nods his head, his long black hair catching the sunlight before he moves over to the unconscious man.
Commander Ruel doesn’t look back. No, he keeps those deadly eyes on me and starts sauntering towards us.
To my surprise, he passes us without a word.
“Follow.” The lady beside me urges.
My legs obey before my mind does and soon enough we are walking towards a couple tiny cabins.
Everyone we pass by salutes or greets but the arrogant bastard doesn't say a word. He doesn't even acknowledge their presence.
I glare at his back, wishing he'd slip and fall and find himself at the mercy of the ghosts of those he's ripped from this earth.
He stops before one of the cabins right in front of a large wooden door. Without effort he pushes it open. The room looks like a very disorganized and littered office.
We step inside with him and then he turns around, his gaze settling on the guards.
“Leave us.”
I quickly take a step back but the female guard places a hand on my back, keeping me from running.
She gives a small bow and walks out, clicking the door shut. Leaving just the both of us.