[ "Cowards!" ]

"Cowards!"

The word rang through the corridors with vengence. Jamnis fell to his knees, his cheeks pressed against the oily, black bars as he closed his eyes. There was no telling how long he'd been there. Even so, he couldn't stand by and wait for them to return. Looking upwards, into the darkness, Jamnis struggled to his feet once more.

Shouting into the nothingness about him seemed the only thing he could do. His voice grew hoarse as he continued, but Jamnis had very little else he could do. The bands on his wrists practically fed on his energy--even breathing seemed difficult.

The door above him screamed as it was opened, the sour notes making Jamnis cover his ears in pain. The light burned his eyes as large hands hauled him from his cell. His legs were weak and they dragged him away. No one said anything, but Jamnis was certain he was being brought to his death.

Screams of agony came out garbled and weak as the hot waters washed over him. People were scrubbing his skin off and tugging on the nest of knots on top of his head. Why did they torture him further? Couldn't they just kill him?

- - -

Jamnis found himself standing before the king and queen in a small study. "You are a gifted boy, Jamnis Rodlyffe."

He looked up at the king, defiance in his hollow eyes, "I never asked for your help, Sir."

"By law, you are mine to do with as I please," the King answered without pause, "I have no further use for you in my army."

Jamnis relaxed visibly at this. "As you know, I would never help you destroy innocent people...I am glad you have conceded in this."

"Do not think you have won, Jamnis," the queen spoke up suddenly, "My lord has chosen a rather...suitable position for you."

- - -

Bait. Of all the things he could have done for this country, he was simply left out on a stake. What had he been thinking? Jamnis struggled against the leather bonds, tightening the knots further with each tug. The bands that clung to his wrists kept him near death, though he knew he'd die from an animal eating him first. Valtic rings, as most called them, never came off.

No one would come to save him. They would be condemning themselves to the same fate if they did. Jamnis kicked the stake again, wondering why they even bothered to feed him now. He would never help them.

"Jamnis," a voice made him turn around, looking up into the silvery eyes of a young girl, "Can't you come home with me?"

"Leave, Ira," Jamnis struggled wildly against his bindings, "They will kill you."

The girl smiled blissfully at him, raising a small knife from her long sleeves, "You're coming too, aren't you Jamnis?"

The tiny blade severed the straps from the stake, making him stumble to the ground. He reached out to grab the child's arms, his fingers passing right through her and sending him forwards once more. "Come home, Jamnis," repeated the small child once more.

"What are you?" he spoke in such fear, it made the girl back away.

The girl smiled, her figure shimmering for a moment, "Come, join us. Awaken the powers inside you."