Prisoner Read Free Page B

than that. How did he fall for an Illussor trap?"
    Tawn pulled hard at the Illussor's hair. "That is a question for you to answer, Deceiver. Speak."
    The Illussor trembled, and he licked his dry lips before responding. "I am merely a foot soldier. Our orders were to devastate the Scarlet. I know nothing more than that."
    "You lie." Tawn pulled harder until the Illussor cried out in pain. "Speak the truth. There is worse I can do than tear out your eyes."
    Shaking in pain and fear, the Illussor nevertheless shook his head. "I cannot tell you what I do not know!"
    "You had best tell us something, Illussor," the central man spoke sharply, coldly. "Your life is only as valuable as the information you give us."
    The Illussor turned toward the sound of his voice, hissing in pain at Tawn's hold. "You will kill me anyway. I swear to you, there is nothing I can tell you."
    The man with orange eyes motioned impatiently. "Lock him up. He will talk after a few days, when dark and cold and hunger begin to take their toll." Tawn nodded and departed the room, dragging the Illussor behind him like a sack.
    The Brothers turned to one another, discussing the matter in whispers and mutters. The three men on the dais called them to silence. The sickly one spoke. "The Illussor do not simply kill an army; it is not their way. If it were, we would all be dead by now. General Sol, attend!"
    A man in the dark gray uniform of the Royal Army stepped forward. His eyes were bright yellow. Though he was only thirty-eight years old, his ash blonde hair was almost completely gray. Combined with his uniform, the man had an austere, almost melancholy air about him. When he stepped forward, the whispering in the room faded. "Yes, my Lord Jaspar?"
    "You still have access to Kria?"
    "Of course, your Grace." His yellow eyes took on a speculative gleam. "What are your orders?"
    "I want to know the fate of the Scarlet, and if they were carrying anything of importance that managed to slip by us."
    "Your will be done."
    "Excellent," Jaspar said with what could almost be considered glee. On either side of him, his compatriots expressed their own satisfaction. "See that you gather as much information as possible. The Illussor have been behaving oddly for some time now. To massacre the entire Scarlet is a drastic measure. I want to know why they resorted to it."
    Sol bowed low. Turning sharply, He strode from the room to carry out his orders. Behind him, the Brothers continued to argue and suppose. Outside in the hallway, his respectful mien fell away. He cast his eyes toward the shadow lurking between the torches. "How did you happen to be so near that battle, Tawn, yet know nothing of what occurred or why?"
    Tawn chuckled and pulled away from the shadows. "What makes you think I know something?"
    "You always hold something back. It's a wonder the Brothers have not figured that out yet."
    "They're too busy reveling in their Illussor captive."
    Sol strode close and caught Tawn by the scruff of the neck. "Desist, Tawn. I've little patience for your games today."
    "You never have patience for my games."
    "Then why do you persist in playing them?"
    Tawn laughed, but it was not a pleasant or happy sound. "If you enjoyed them, what would be the point in playing them?"
    Sol slammed him against the wall. "I said desist."
    "Yes, yes." Tawn shoved him away and brushed off his shirt. "You need to develop a sense of humor, General Sol. Or should I call you Lord Grau? It's so hard to remember who you are and when."
    Sol backhanded him. "Must I tell you a third time?"
    "You will pay for hitting me, General."
    "Idle threats. We both know that you will not kill me for a long time yet."
    Tawn's eyes were bright with anger and barely repressed magic. "And on that day, you will pay for every abuse you've laid upon me. Make no mistake." He stepped back into the shadow and away from Sol's anger.
    "So you've said before. Now tell me."
    Tawn glared, but began to explain. "Shortly before the