Torel tugged at his bonds again, more in a gesture of not giving up than with any thought that the expertly tied cording might have loosened. And as he’d expected he remained bound. The sack over his head had held onions at one time but after two days of the smell he no longer noticed although he had an idea that his eyes were probably red enough to be mistaken for demon eyes from the amount he’d teared up the first day.
“Hey Biminey?” he called softly.
“Da?” came the artificer’s voice back, only slightly muffled by the bags they wore.
“A hill giant would have sure come in handy is my thought right about now.”
“Probably snap these ropes without even thinkin…”
“Oh shut the hell up you two!” interrupted the deep voice of Elisssa quietly. “For the love of Baphomat, it was a gods be damned giant. You were NOT making a pet out of it.”
Dra’kin shook his head slightly, “Fools.” he thought to himself. He was growing used to his companions, even fond of them but he feared for them all if they continued these petty displays of bravado.
The two men chuckled and Elisssa winced at their volume. Sure enough there was a dull thud followed by the broken wood snap of a rib and she could hear Torel suck in his breath.
“I would have thought I’d made myself clear earlier. There will be no talking. The next incident and I will kill one of you. Perhaps that is clear enough now?” came the impassive precise tones of Noribar, one of the two eladrin leaders of the bandits that held them hostage.
Elisssa winced as there was another thud and barely contained gasp. “I asked you a question, are we clear on this condition of your captivity?”
Torel forced the pain down, enough to answer without much hint of the agony of the broken ribs in his side, “I suppose you’ve made your point.”
“Good. I am glad we see eye to eye on this.” The eladrin chuckled quietly, “So to speak given the headwear you have on.”
The padding of footsteps approached, almost too quiet to hear even from only a few feet away. A deferential voice, masculine and mid toned spoke, “Beggin your pardon boss, but me and the boys, we were wondering when we’d get to do for them that killed Pe’lay? Him was the best with bow and string of us, even better’n me and a good friend he was.”
The eladrin’s voice brooked no discussion, “I have plans for these. They are of interest it seems to a number of personages and it remains to see who comes up with the highest item of value for them.”
“Not to be out of line boss, but do you need’em all? I mean there is five of them and really our biggest beef is with this one here.” Torel’s teeth clenched as a heavy foot landed on his chest, he could feel the bones of his ribs grating. Much more pressure and he feared they might punch into a lung.
“Why do so many seem to have trouble understanding my wishes? Darny, you and your archers have been useful to me. I pay you accordingly. But I tell you this, do not question me again or your usefulness will be at an end.” The eladrin’s voice remained calm and precise but a note of icy anger underlaid his words.
“No no, we’re good boss. The boys, they was just wonderin and them… no we’re good. You just point us at a target and we’ll do you proud.”
Another voice, the same smooth baritone with words clipped off very precisely, “There is word, a messenger arrived from…”
“Let us move away Tre’lalou, I think there is no risk but I prefer that these not know our business. One cannot go against fate no matter what precautions one takes and some carry their fate more strongly than others.”
“As you wish.”
The light steps of their captors moved away and then faded into silence. The only sounds reaching the ears of the captives those of the forests, wind, insect and bird. In the distance were the indistinguishable voices of other bandits, blending with the wind into a background susurration of noise.
“How bad?” Stak who lay next to the avenger asked, voice pitched so low it might have been mistaken for the sound of grass growing.
“Bad enough but I still live.” Torel breathed out.
“Have faith brother.”
Torel smiled, if there was one thing he had, it was faith in himself and his god. Kord would find a way to help, of this he was sure.
