***Disclaimer, please dont read if you are offended, by Sexual references, Rape, Violence, Piss drinking, Slavery, Nudity, Suffocation of the elderly (more to follow as story develops)***
Half a dozen camp fires lit up the mountain trail like a fiery constellation. Around those fires gathered men and women, slaves and slavers, good and bad, free and fettered.
Figures moved little, and made less noise, but not all was quiet.
Two unshaven guards discretely made their way to a fire obscured somewhat from the others. Slaves sat around in silence, dull eyed, slack jawed, and aside from the rise and fall of their chests, motionless. Each and every pair was linked at the wrist and ankle with a metal chain, two meters long.
"I told ya this was the best job you'll ever have Sned. Better than the army, better than Prasads shop. Sure we gotta march a few weeks, but its easy money, and the job has its extras ya know" explained one guard to the other. "Yeah, i guess" replied the other "Not much to it with there minds all magicked, just tell em to walk an' they walk, tell 'em to eat an' they eat". A quiet chuckle floated back at him. "Ya got no imagination Sned, yeah they can eat, but they'll do anything ya say too" his expression spoke volumes.
Sned hissed back "They'll know if we shaft them! you know Mixat wont let us soil them, even more so if they're virgins". The conversation continued "Don't worry about that, just watch and get ready for ya turn". He moved to stand in front of the only female slave at the fire, putting his hand down the front of her smock. "No titties on this one and she aint pretty, but she'll do" he spoke as his hand moved from her well worn smock to his trousers. Unbuttoning he exposed his manhood to the mountain air and then inside her slack jaw "Suck".
Sned watched as the slave sucked at his elder cousin. He reached for his own belt as his cousin began moaning and moving his hips back and forth. Just as his cousin was about to explode in her mouth, the stone of the mountain trail exploded next to them.
When just surviving is victory. (18+)
When just surviving is victory. (18+)
Last edited by Rumple C on Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
Debris showered those at the campfire. Sned and his cousin looked around in shock only to have their gaze met by bulbous alien looking eyes attached to a chintinous alien body whcih was breaking through the mountain wall. Sned sat down weeping, will his cousin simply looked skywards and began humming.
The gaze of the umber hulk however freed the minds of the slaves.
Two in particular stood out. The woman finally returning to her senses bit down hard in reflex then pushed away from the slaver, her face now smeared with his blood. She dashed almost a meter before being cruelly restrained by the chain. She yelped in pain and painic. Turning again she saw the umber hulk and felt her mind begin to crumble, she fought and regained control of her self. "MOVE!" she screamed at her chained companion "MOVE!".
Magical lights and explosions coupled with screams and shouts wafted down the mountains. The hulk so close was tearing into the slaves and Sned with abandon, batting them around like they were weightless. The hulks gaze turned onto the womans chained companion and finally he stirred, his eyes glazed, he screamed. A shout of anger and he swung at the air. Seeing it would seem some imaginary battle. The battle took him towards the edge of the trail and a drop that would mean death to them both. Her small frame was dragged by his larger, his dellusional strength far greater than her struggles and words could stop. "No! No! STOP!" she pleaded and begged as she was dragged bumping and scraping over the unforgiving rock.
Still swinging and cursing he charged of the edge of the cliff, his now falling weight launching her airborn. The mountain air greeted them both.
Behind them the umber hulk gorged itself on the bloodied remains of slaves and slavers alike, indiscriminate in its tastes. It was not prepared for the lightning bolt which struck its back and passed right through blowing chunks of gore everywhere.
Mixat cursed at the carnage and counted bodies. All dead then when taking into account the two that went over the edge.
The gaze of the umber hulk however freed the minds of the slaves.
Two in particular stood out. The woman finally returning to her senses bit down hard in reflex then pushed away from the slaver, her face now smeared with his blood. She dashed almost a meter before being cruelly restrained by the chain. She yelped in pain and painic. Turning again she saw the umber hulk and felt her mind begin to crumble, she fought and regained control of her self. "MOVE!" she screamed at her chained companion "MOVE!".
Magical lights and explosions coupled with screams and shouts wafted down the mountains. The hulk so close was tearing into the slaves and Sned with abandon, batting them around like they were weightless. The hulks gaze turned onto the womans chained companion and finally he stirred, his eyes glazed, he screamed. A shout of anger and he swung at the air. Seeing it would seem some imaginary battle. The battle took him towards the edge of the trail and a drop that would mean death to them both. Her small frame was dragged by his larger, his dellusional strength far greater than her struggles and words could stop. "No! No! STOP!" she pleaded and begged as she was dragged bumping and scraping over the unforgiving rock.
Still swinging and cursing he charged of the edge of the cliff, his now falling weight launching her airborn. The mountain air greeted them both.
Behind them the umber hulk gorged itself on the bloodied remains of slaves and slavers alike, indiscriminate in its tastes. It was not prepared for the lightning bolt which struck its back and passed right through blowing chunks of gore everywhere.
Mixat cursed at the carnage and counted bodies. All dead then when taking into account the two that went over the edge.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
The pair fell, tumbling over and over, the man thrashing in his delerium, the woman shrieking in terror as she was battered by his violence. She spat a magical word and seemed to stop falling. The man connected to her by chained wrist and ankle was wrenched to a violent stop, his weight and struggles almost tearing her limbs off. She began to fall as softly as a feather shouting at him to stop, whilst his struggles tugged and tore at both of them.
It was a brutal descent almost three hundred meters.
The manacles had cut through skin and muscle on both of them, in some patches to the bone. Her shoulder had popped from its socket and now hung freely from her shoulder. She no longer had the strength to scream by the time they landed.
He on the other hand was still fighting the demons in his mind. Connected by metal and escape he turned his crazed gaze upon her they landed on sparsly grassed rock. "You!" he shouted wrapping his one usable hand around her neck, cutting of any chance of response.
A bizzare scene. Two chained and bloodied folk, both battered by descent, restrained and connected, and the man now mounting the woman, cutting off her life at the neck. Her struggles grew less and less, twas then he eased off his efforts and seemed to regain some clarity. Her lips moved slightly as he leaned over her, as though to hear what she was saying. She whispered right in his ear.
He collapsed on top of her suddenly, his much larger weight grinding her to the ground.
All was still.
It was a brutal descent almost three hundred meters.
The manacles had cut through skin and muscle on both of them, in some patches to the bone. Her shoulder had popped from its socket and now hung freely from her shoulder. She no longer had the strength to scream by the time they landed.
He on the other hand was still fighting the demons in his mind. Connected by metal and escape he turned his crazed gaze upon her they landed on sparsly grassed rock. "You!" he shouted wrapping his one usable hand around her neck, cutting of any chance of response.
A bizzare scene. Two chained and bloodied folk, both battered by descent, restrained and connected, and the man now mounting the woman, cutting off her life at the neck. Her struggles grew less and less, twas then he eased off his efforts and seemed to regain some clarity. Her lips moved slightly as he leaned over her, as though to hear what she was saying. She whispered right in his ear.
He collapsed on top of her suddenly, his much larger weight grinding her to the ground.
All was still.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
For some time neither of the pair moved. Slowly slowly two arms moved from amongst the pile of limbs. One chained, bloodied and near useless, the other just bloodied and smeared with blood, dust, and dispair.
Feminine arms.
They rolled the man over oh so slowly. Her lungs heaved in deeply and painfuly as his bulk was pushed from her torso. His chest moved too, deeply and reguarly as though sleeping. Wincing in pain, agony perhaps her manacled hand was tested, fingers worked but barely. She rolled towards the man, spooning around his back. Her good arm was went under his neck her hand hovering over his face, while her near useless arm rest on his hip and snaked its way towards his breeches.
Her hand went down his pants at the rear, her hand coming to rest on his testes, as the hand on his face laid ragged fingernails against his eyelids. She tightened her fingers slightly, he did not stir. Leaning forward she whispered in his ear "dont move" as she tightened her grip yet again.
He awoke with a start, moving in shock. He was brought short as she brutally dug her fingernails into his eyes and balls. "I said dont move, if you do, I will pop them".
He stopped moving.
Feminine arms.
They rolled the man over oh so slowly. Her lungs heaved in deeply and painfuly as his bulk was pushed from her torso. His chest moved too, deeply and reguarly as though sleeping. Wincing in pain, agony perhaps her manacled hand was tested, fingers worked but barely. She rolled towards the man, spooning around his back. Her good arm was went under his neck her hand hovering over his face, while her near useless arm rest on his hip and snaked its way towards his breeches.
Her hand went down his pants at the rear, her hand coming to rest on his testes, as the hand on his face laid ragged fingernails against his eyelids. She tightened her fingers slightly, he did not stir. Leaning forward she whispered in his ear "dont move" as she tightened her grip yet again.
He awoke with a start, moving in shock. He was brought short as she brutally dug her fingernails into his eyes and balls. "I said dont move, if you do, I will pop them".
He stopped moving.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
"Have you calmed down yet?" she demanded holding him hostage by his trender anatomy. "I didn't know I wasn't being calm, actually i dont even know how I got here, who you are, and why your crushing my balls".
She eased her grip slightly.
"Well I dont know how we got here in the larger sense, and i'm crushing your balls because you tried to kill me, but if your back to your senses i'm going to let go, but i warn you, try to kill me again and it will go very poorly for you"
She moved her hands slowly away from his face and groin, wiping her hands on the back of his tattered shirt. He opened his eyes noting the darkness and cliffs all around. Movement brought a sharp intake of air and a gasp of pain.
"We're both hurt, so be careful" she said helping him to roll over so he could sit up. Their eyes met, and something on level passed between them. She frowned and he looked down at his wounds. "Do you know anything about these?" he asked touching the metal manacles which connected them by two meters of chain with his good hand. "It's all that kept you alive going over the edge" she said nodding up to the cliff behind her.
He looked up at the cliff then back down at her. "How?" he asked. "Magic" she replied displaying the torn skin, muscle and bone for him to see. "Thats your fault, but perhaps its the only thing that saved us" she went on "when i woke up I was being raped in the mouth". She noted his frown and continued "All around us was humansand at least one monster ripping them to pieces.
"A hulk whos gaze causes madness" said softly. "Then you woke and ran straight over the edge taking me with you, my magic slowed the fall, when we landed you tried to strangle me" she spoke lifting her chin to display a bruised neck. "Sorry" came the weak reply. She ignored him and talked on "So I put you to sleep, then woke you up, and her we are, as good as dead".
Out of the quiet night air came the reply "It doesnt look good does it?". "What?" she snapped. "Our situation" came the ragged reply as he tried to remove a thread of hanging skin from his wounds. "I assume we have no idea where we are, our wounds will fester shortly, we are not equipped with weapons, food, or even proper clothing, in short our situation does not look good.... unless you can magic us out of here?" he rambled.
"I can't, i have only enough magic left to kill anyone who tries to rape or kill me" she said pointedly meeting his gaze. "No need for that" he said calmly "I lack the drive and strength to do anything". "Well you have been warned in any event" she said.
"My name is Swit" she said abruptly. "Clavin" came the reply "a pity we couldnt have met in better circumstances.
"True enough, it was nice knowing you"
Two battered, bruised, and rueful laughs rose into the mountain air. They faded all to soon.
She eased her grip slightly.
"Well I dont know how we got here in the larger sense, and i'm crushing your balls because you tried to kill me, but if your back to your senses i'm going to let go, but i warn you, try to kill me again and it will go very poorly for you"
She moved her hands slowly away from his face and groin, wiping her hands on the back of his tattered shirt. He opened his eyes noting the darkness and cliffs all around. Movement brought a sharp intake of air and a gasp of pain.
"We're both hurt, so be careful" she said helping him to roll over so he could sit up. Their eyes met, and something on level passed between them. She frowned and he looked down at his wounds. "Do you know anything about these?" he asked touching the metal manacles which connected them by two meters of chain with his good hand. "It's all that kept you alive going over the edge" she said nodding up to the cliff behind her.
He looked up at the cliff then back down at her. "How?" he asked. "Magic" she replied displaying the torn skin, muscle and bone for him to see. "Thats your fault, but perhaps its the only thing that saved us" she went on "when i woke up I was being raped in the mouth". She noted his frown and continued "All around us was humansand at least one monster ripping them to pieces.
"A hulk whos gaze causes madness" said softly. "Then you woke and ran straight over the edge taking me with you, my magic slowed the fall, when we landed you tried to strangle me" she spoke lifting her chin to display a bruised neck. "Sorry" came the weak reply. She ignored him and talked on "So I put you to sleep, then woke you up, and her we are, as good as dead".
Out of the quiet night air came the reply "It doesnt look good does it?". "What?" she snapped. "Our situation" came the ragged reply as he tried to remove a thread of hanging skin from his wounds. "I assume we have no idea where we are, our wounds will fester shortly, we are not equipped with weapons, food, or even proper clothing, in short our situation does not look good.... unless you can magic us out of here?" he rambled.
"I can't, i have only enough magic left to kill anyone who tries to rape or kill me" she said pointedly meeting his gaze. "No need for that" he said calmly "I lack the drive and strength to do anything". "Well you have been warned in any event" she said.
"My name is Swit" she said abruptly. "Clavin" came the reply "a pity we couldnt have met in better circumstances.
"True enough, it was nice knowing you"
Two battered, bruised, and rueful laughs rose into the mountain air. They faded all to soon.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
They began to pick at their wounds, lifting out gravel, tearing of hanging bits of skin and so forth. There was much cursing, watering eyes, and wincing. What it did do was give them a chance to observe the other.
Clavin was rapidly approaching middle age, he carried extra weight on on his frame, enough to be called solid, but a few years away from being called fat. His hair was thinning, and lines marked his face. His breeches and tattered shift were torn showing more skin than he would have been comfortable with in civilised surrounds. In his current situation he was content with just being alive.
Her clothes also gaped showing torn and bruised skin. Her plain face was clearly unhappy with the direction she had been taken. As the guard had commented, she was flat chested, but obviously a woman with her larger hips and legs which looked to large for her frame. Unlike Clavin she was able to boast the possession of one thonged sandle.
Both of them were joined at the wrist and ankle by the chained manacles. Their wounds were beginning to puff around the metal making any movement extremely painful and limited.
They had no food, no water, no idea where they were, and little chance of living the week out.
Apart from that things were looking good.
Clavin was rapidly approaching middle age, he carried extra weight on on his frame, enough to be called solid, but a few years away from being called fat. His hair was thinning, and lines marked his face. His breeches and tattered shift were torn showing more skin than he would have been comfortable with in civilised surrounds. In his current situation he was content with just being alive.
Her clothes also gaped showing torn and bruised skin. Her plain face was clearly unhappy with the direction she had been taken. As the guard had commented, she was flat chested, but obviously a woman with her larger hips and legs which looked to large for her frame. Unlike Clavin she was able to boast the possession of one thonged sandle.
Both of them were joined at the wrist and ankle by the chained manacles. Their wounds were beginning to puff around the metal making any movement extremely painful and limited.
They had no food, no water, no idea where they were, and little chance of living the week out.
Apart from that things were looking good.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
Darkness had descended fully upon them, casting its chilly blanket over the mountains. They shivered. "What now?" he asked, teeth chattering as he wrapped both arms around himself. "We wait until morning" came the shivering reply "then we see what we can see".
"It's cold" he said. "I know" she snapped "Your not the only person here". He did not speak for some time. "We need to be together for warmth" he spoke in calm tones. She ignored him for a few minutes before a slight breeze took the last of her heat.
They moved to a cliff face and spooned his arm around her, but not before she issued another warning about rapists. "I'll see you eat it, if you get it out".
They shivered, and survived until morning when they were rudely awakened.
"It's cold" he said. "I know" she snapped "Your not the only person here". He did not speak for some time. "We need to be together for warmth" he spoke in calm tones. She ignored him for a few minutes before a slight breeze took the last of her heat.
They moved to a cliff face and spooned his arm around her, but not before she issued another warning about rapists. "I'll see you eat it, if you get it out".
They shivered, and survived until morning when they were rudely awakened.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
The body splattered a score of meters away without warning. It bounced in a disturbing flopsy way, leaving its mark in blood and organs. Clavin and Swit woke with a start as another body joined it, falling from the air like death given wings. They pressed themselves up against the cliffs and watched as the rocky ground began to grow corpses.
Some were half eaten, some were still connected by chain, a few appeared to be guards. "Someone up there must be pushing them off" commented Clavin. Swit did not reply to the obvious.
Twelve bodies fell in total, nine in rags, three in guards clothing, and a leg that seemingly had no owner. "Wait" Swit said as Clavin made to move towards the bodies. They waited for an hour before moving away from the privacy of the cliff.
Picking their way over rocky ground, trying to avoid pools of dark blood, they converged over the bodies like vultures, Clavin pausing to mumble something to himself, a prayer perhaps, Swit going straight to looting.
Treasure they assembled. Bloodied clothing, boots, a belt with a metal buckle... and that was all.
"Slim pickings" commented Clavin. "Turn around" commanded Swit. Clavin obeyed. Some time later he was commanded again in less demanding tones. "I need help, my arm is well nigh on useless". He turned around to find her topless, her back turned to him. Her chained arm was hanging uselessly. At her feet was the ripped smock she had escaped in, held behind her back one of the guards shirts. He took it wordlessly and tore at it with his good hand and foot, tearing one side from base to neck. He dressed her as best he could, the chained side tied again around her arm and hip.
"Your arm looks bad" he said whilst working. She did not comment.
He helped her into a single oversized boot un her good foot, and secured the sandle on her chained leg.
He then set about clothing himself in bloodied clothing.
"Well, we stink, but we're all the better for it" again came no reply. He looked over to see Swit, her back still turned. He shoulders were heaving in silient sobs. He put one hand on her good shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" she shouted at him, and he backed off quickly.
She made to move away from the bodies, and he followed, carrying as much chain as he could. She led them in a seemingly random direction.
Her determined stride soon slowed to a shuffle of pain as the chains and wounds took their toll upon the escapees.
Some were half eaten, some were still connected by chain, a few appeared to be guards. "Someone up there must be pushing them off" commented Clavin. Swit did not reply to the obvious.
Twelve bodies fell in total, nine in rags, three in guards clothing, and a leg that seemingly had no owner. "Wait" Swit said as Clavin made to move towards the bodies. They waited for an hour before moving away from the privacy of the cliff.
Picking their way over rocky ground, trying to avoid pools of dark blood, they converged over the bodies like vultures, Clavin pausing to mumble something to himself, a prayer perhaps, Swit going straight to looting.
Treasure they assembled. Bloodied clothing, boots, a belt with a metal buckle... and that was all.
"Slim pickings" commented Clavin. "Turn around" commanded Swit. Clavin obeyed. Some time later he was commanded again in less demanding tones. "I need help, my arm is well nigh on useless". He turned around to find her topless, her back turned to him. Her chained arm was hanging uselessly. At her feet was the ripped smock she had escaped in, held behind her back one of the guards shirts. He took it wordlessly and tore at it with his good hand and foot, tearing one side from base to neck. He dressed her as best he could, the chained side tied again around her arm and hip.
"Your arm looks bad" he said whilst working. She did not comment.
He helped her into a single oversized boot un her good foot, and secured the sandle on her chained leg.
He then set about clothing himself in bloodied clothing.
"Well, we stink, but we're all the better for it" again came no reply. He looked over to see Swit, her back still turned. He shoulders were heaving in silient sobs. He put one hand on her good shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" she shouted at him, and he backed off quickly.
She made to move away from the bodies, and he followed, carrying as much chain as he could. She led them in a seemingly random direction.
Her determined stride soon slowed to a shuffle of pain as the chains and wounds took their toll upon the escapees.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
They walked, shuffled, limped and panted their way across ankle breaking terrain. Swit in the lead, Clavin following carrying as much chain as possible in his hands. Several times Swit fell and he was there to help her to her feet. Eventually he had to ask "Do you know where we are going?".
"No, do you?"
They walked on. The sun rose, reined, and set, bringing warmth and hope then cruelly taking it away. As their shadows lengthened and stretched away from them Clavin brought them to a stop. Through dry lips he remarked simply "We need to rest", and so they did taking shelter in a cliff depression.
Swit refused Clavins attempts to share warmth that night, rebuffing him with threats of violence. They shivered seperatly until Clavin with his back to Swit found some measure of sleep.
Rousing herself as quietly as she could Swit watched the rise and fall of his shoulders and back, biding her time. Her fingers twitched as she mumbled alien phrases. Touching her wounds with her good finger, the scabs shortened themselves, and dead skin flaked off revealing fresh pink scarring.
She stopped the process short leaving the wounds still looking gruesome, but she obviously moved more freely and without grimacing. Again she repeated the mumbles, again touching herself with a single finger. This time she stopped shivering, and color returned to her cheeks and skin. Wrapping her arms about herself and allowing herself the luxury of a smug smirk just for a second she closed her eyes and leant her head back against the cliff, drifting into a much needed sleep.
With his back turned to her Clavin shivered in his slumber.
"No, do you?"
They walked on. The sun rose, reined, and set, bringing warmth and hope then cruelly taking it away. As their shadows lengthened and stretched away from them Clavin brought them to a stop. Through dry lips he remarked simply "We need to rest", and so they did taking shelter in a cliff depression.
Swit refused Clavins attempts to share warmth that night, rebuffing him with threats of violence. They shivered seperatly until Clavin with his back to Swit found some measure of sleep.
Rousing herself as quietly as she could Swit watched the rise and fall of his shoulders and back, biding her time. Her fingers twitched as she mumbled alien phrases. Touching her wounds with her good finger, the scabs shortened themselves, and dead skin flaked off revealing fresh pink scarring.
She stopped the process short leaving the wounds still looking gruesome, but she obviously moved more freely and without grimacing. Again she repeated the mumbles, again touching herself with a single finger. This time she stopped shivering, and color returned to her cheeks and skin. Wrapping her arms about herself and allowing herself the luxury of a smug smirk just for a second she closed her eyes and leant her head back against the cliff, drifting into a much needed sleep.
With his back turned to her Clavin shivered in his slumber.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
Clavin shivered long into the night. Swit however slept better if not comfortably, her earlier magic seemingly keeping the cold at bay. A pale sun and weak light woke both.
Clavin reached up to rub his eyes with his chained hand but winced at the movement and stopped as it rubbed at his open flesh. "Careful!" snapped Swit. Clavin said nothing but turned his head away from her using his free hand to rub sleep from his eyes.
Vast mountains rose up in all directions with no telling landmarks. Clavin touched his dry lips with an even drier tongue. "I'm parched" he said poking at the dusty ground with a finger. Swit made no reply but stood. Clavin made no movement for a moment but then rose grudgingly and followed her as they moved along a natural trail. Dry rocks and dust were everywhere. The sky showed no clouds, and the ground no moisture. Clavin continued to touch his lips at regular intervals, wincing as cracks appeared over the morning.
Swits face was seemingly faring little better allthough she complained less of it than Clavin.
The sun reached its Zenith providing barely enough warmth for Clavin to feel comfortable despite his exercise. The monotony of the walk, of the dragging chiming chains, of the thirst was broken when Swit stopped walking suddenly. Clavin almost walked into the back of her.
She raised her free hand and pointed at the rocks in front of her. Clavin peered somewhat shortsightedly. He looked at her quizzicly until she snapped in frustration "Look closer". He did so getting on his hands and knees, and then saw the moving ground.
Ants.
Hundreds of them moving from one cracked cliff to another along the rocky ground. Small, black, and fast. Clavin stood again brushing the dust from his knees.
"Food?" he asked uncertainly. "Food" she confirmed, lowering herself and plucking up an ant. She put it in her mouth and bit down grimacing. Clavin imitated her. "Bitter" he said picking up ant after ant after ant and eating. Swit stopped at five and watched while Clavin ate mechanicly. He ignored her.
"I wonder what the ants eat" she mused. Clavin paused in his eating and she turned from him smirking. He stood, wiping first ants from his lips then from his forearms. He looked around but saw only wasteland. "Lets keep moving" she directed stepping over the ants. He followed.
...
The evening found them resting in a cliff hollow. At their feet was a skeleton of a vulture. It's bones were sunbleached and long since picked clean. Clavin sifted through the rattling articles. Swit reached over his shoulder and picked up the skull. Examining it criticly she then handed it to Clavin. He looked at her with a questioning expression.
"Still thirsty?" she asked. He nodded in understanding, and moved as far away from her as the chain would permit. Turning away from Swit he urinated dark yellow into the skull. Dehydration meant there was little to drink, but he did so, coughing at the first sip, spilling some, and cursing at himself for doing so.
Swit sniggered behing his back. He finished regardless.
"Sorry, I didn't save any for you" he snapped as he turned around. "What made you think I wanted to drink your piss anyway?" she retorted. She moved away from him as far as the chain allowed, turning so as not to look at him.
He slumped against the wall holding the skull in his hands then tossing it between them. For along time neither of them spoke. "Sorry Swit" he said "I didnt mean to be rude". She made no reply and Clavins face grew darker. "Gods, why do you have to be such a b*tch?"
"Go shaft yourself" the words drifted out of the darkness. "Gods know why or how I ended up here chained to a piss drinker". Out of sight of Swit, Clavins hands clenched into fists.
...
Both of them sat shivering long into the night. Anger and the chill preventing sleep, anger and pride stopping from sharing warmth. Clouds obscured the sky, and darkness obscured all. Over time their vision faded til naught was visible. Somewhere far away rocks fell, clattering.
Swit flinched despite herself.
Clavin spoke quietly "Still awake". "Yes" came the reply in a tone far gentler than the day.
The air hung, pregnant with quiet. Then it gave birth or was perhaps rent by the words of both. "How are we goiing to survive?" asked Clavin. "We are allready" answered Swit. She sighed and went on "We find shelter, or food, or water. We rest, heal, supply ourselves and walk out of wherever the hells we are". "That easy" doubted Clavin. "Well the alternative is starving or freezing to death up here, so take your pick" growled Swit.
"I choose to live" affirmed Clavin.
...
Dawn light delivered hope.
Again the chained pair limped onwards towards the unknown. Many was the time they were forced to backtrack, cursing their ill fortune, or lamenting their choice of paths to take.
The trail destroyed all semblance of time. Thirst took a further harsh toll. Cracked lips, sunken eyes, peeling skin showed the circumstances under which they endured. Clavin had long ago run out of fluids to drink. Swit refused to share hers, voiding it into thristy rock. They suffered.
By mid afternoon, they stopped for yet another rest. Slumping to the ground under the shade of an overhanging boulder. "We are dying" wheezed Clavin. Swit did not reply but for a brittle smiled which cracked her lips. Clavin had not the energy to talk further. Raising a hand for Clavin to stay seated she moved around the boulder as far out of sight of Clavin as she could given the metal link they shared.
Barely mumbled phrases created water in her hands. Shaking with excitment, having to restrain herself from gulping noisily, she drank the life providing liquid. Pausing, looking over her shoulder to make sure she wasnt discovered she repeated another two times, sating some of the thrist.
Then wiping her hands in the dust, drying her lips on her sleeve, ensuring the sun removed all traces of the water darkened ground, she returned around the boulder and sat next to the dying Clavin.
...
Night drew its chilling blanket over the pair. Clavin had long since passed into a deep slumber, weakened by thirst and hunger. His chest barely rose, and shivering had stopped long ago. Swit did not even bother being discrete any more. Openly she used her magic to protect herself from the cold.
She lifted a fist sized rock and studied its shape, tapping it experimentaly against the boulder behind them. Dull knocking confirmed its strength. Clavins shape was outlined against a clear night sky. Stars lit him up but barely. With a few muttered words the rock was given light, enough to show his face and form fully.
Lines, his face had lines. But he wasnt old. No, a face that had seen weather and been shaped by it. Middle age was surely approaching though. It gave his form weight, a layer of fat that had kept him going this far. The toll he was under showed on his face. Dust and grime smeared all over. Clothes taken from the dead, ill fitting, blood stained, torn, stinking. Both of them stank. Stank of blood, sweat.
Swit let the rock rest in her lap. She ran her hands over it, thrilling at the imagined feel of her magic. Moving closer to Clavin she held it in both hands, raising her hands above her head, ready to swing them downwards in a hammer blow culminating in a bloody meeting between rock and skull.
...
Swit did not notice the shape which crept up behind her. Just as her downswing commenced it spoke.
"I wouldn't do that".
Swits swing went wild, aborted out of suprise and shock. She fell akwardly over Clavins legs who awoke suddenly with reddened eyes. They both stared in shock at the ragged, naked, wrinkled old woman who sttod but meters away. "Got ourselves into a spot of bother have we?" she cackled.
"Aye" responded Swit "quite a bit of trouble". "Tsk. tsk, you young people and your silly ways, look at him" the old woman spoke limping over to examine Clavins face "just about dead this one, lucky I came by when I did". Swit made no reply, but moved her hand away from the rock. The old woman grinned at her showing a mouth devoid of all teeth bar one.
Clavin reached up to rub his eyes with his chained hand but winced at the movement and stopped as it rubbed at his open flesh. "Careful!" snapped Swit. Clavin said nothing but turned his head away from her using his free hand to rub sleep from his eyes.
Vast mountains rose up in all directions with no telling landmarks. Clavin touched his dry lips with an even drier tongue. "I'm parched" he said poking at the dusty ground with a finger. Swit made no reply but stood. Clavin made no movement for a moment but then rose grudgingly and followed her as they moved along a natural trail. Dry rocks and dust were everywhere. The sky showed no clouds, and the ground no moisture. Clavin continued to touch his lips at regular intervals, wincing as cracks appeared over the morning.
Swits face was seemingly faring little better allthough she complained less of it than Clavin.
The sun reached its Zenith providing barely enough warmth for Clavin to feel comfortable despite his exercise. The monotony of the walk, of the dragging chiming chains, of the thirst was broken when Swit stopped walking suddenly. Clavin almost walked into the back of her.
She raised her free hand and pointed at the rocks in front of her. Clavin peered somewhat shortsightedly. He looked at her quizzicly until she snapped in frustration "Look closer". He did so getting on his hands and knees, and then saw the moving ground.
Ants.
Hundreds of them moving from one cracked cliff to another along the rocky ground. Small, black, and fast. Clavin stood again brushing the dust from his knees.
"Food?" he asked uncertainly. "Food" she confirmed, lowering herself and plucking up an ant. She put it in her mouth and bit down grimacing. Clavin imitated her. "Bitter" he said picking up ant after ant after ant and eating. Swit stopped at five and watched while Clavin ate mechanicly. He ignored her.
"I wonder what the ants eat" she mused. Clavin paused in his eating and she turned from him smirking. He stood, wiping first ants from his lips then from his forearms. He looked around but saw only wasteland. "Lets keep moving" she directed stepping over the ants. He followed.
...
The evening found them resting in a cliff hollow. At their feet was a skeleton of a vulture. It's bones were sunbleached and long since picked clean. Clavin sifted through the rattling articles. Swit reached over his shoulder and picked up the skull. Examining it criticly she then handed it to Clavin. He looked at her with a questioning expression.
"Still thirsty?" she asked. He nodded in understanding, and moved as far away from her as the chain would permit. Turning away from Swit he urinated dark yellow into the skull. Dehydration meant there was little to drink, but he did so, coughing at the first sip, spilling some, and cursing at himself for doing so.
Swit sniggered behing his back. He finished regardless.
"Sorry, I didn't save any for you" he snapped as he turned around. "What made you think I wanted to drink your piss anyway?" she retorted. She moved away from him as far as the chain allowed, turning so as not to look at him.
He slumped against the wall holding the skull in his hands then tossing it between them. For along time neither of them spoke. "Sorry Swit" he said "I didnt mean to be rude". She made no reply and Clavins face grew darker. "Gods, why do you have to be such a b*tch?"
"Go shaft yourself" the words drifted out of the darkness. "Gods know why or how I ended up here chained to a piss drinker". Out of sight of Swit, Clavins hands clenched into fists.
...
Both of them sat shivering long into the night. Anger and the chill preventing sleep, anger and pride stopping from sharing warmth. Clouds obscured the sky, and darkness obscured all. Over time their vision faded til naught was visible. Somewhere far away rocks fell, clattering.
Swit flinched despite herself.
Clavin spoke quietly "Still awake". "Yes" came the reply in a tone far gentler than the day.
The air hung, pregnant with quiet. Then it gave birth or was perhaps rent by the words of both. "How are we goiing to survive?" asked Clavin. "We are allready" answered Swit. She sighed and went on "We find shelter, or food, or water. We rest, heal, supply ourselves and walk out of wherever the hells we are". "That easy" doubted Clavin. "Well the alternative is starving or freezing to death up here, so take your pick" growled Swit.
"I choose to live" affirmed Clavin.
...
Dawn light delivered hope.
Again the chained pair limped onwards towards the unknown. Many was the time they were forced to backtrack, cursing their ill fortune, or lamenting their choice of paths to take.
The trail destroyed all semblance of time. Thirst took a further harsh toll. Cracked lips, sunken eyes, peeling skin showed the circumstances under which they endured. Clavin had long ago run out of fluids to drink. Swit refused to share hers, voiding it into thristy rock. They suffered.
By mid afternoon, they stopped for yet another rest. Slumping to the ground under the shade of an overhanging boulder. "We are dying" wheezed Clavin. Swit did not reply but for a brittle smiled which cracked her lips. Clavin had not the energy to talk further. Raising a hand for Clavin to stay seated she moved around the boulder as far out of sight of Clavin as she could given the metal link they shared.
Barely mumbled phrases created water in her hands. Shaking with excitment, having to restrain herself from gulping noisily, she drank the life providing liquid. Pausing, looking over her shoulder to make sure she wasnt discovered she repeated another two times, sating some of the thrist.
Then wiping her hands in the dust, drying her lips on her sleeve, ensuring the sun removed all traces of the water darkened ground, she returned around the boulder and sat next to the dying Clavin.
...
Night drew its chilling blanket over the pair. Clavin had long since passed into a deep slumber, weakened by thirst and hunger. His chest barely rose, and shivering had stopped long ago. Swit did not even bother being discrete any more. Openly she used her magic to protect herself from the cold.
She lifted a fist sized rock and studied its shape, tapping it experimentaly against the boulder behind them. Dull knocking confirmed its strength. Clavins shape was outlined against a clear night sky. Stars lit him up but barely. With a few muttered words the rock was given light, enough to show his face and form fully.
Lines, his face had lines. But he wasnt old. No, a face that had seen weather and been shaped by it. Middle age was surely approaching though. It gave his form weight, a layer of fat that had kept him going this far. The toll he was under showed on his face. Dust and grime smeared all over. Clothes taken from the dead, ill fitting, blood stained, torn, stinking. Both of them stank. Stank of blood, sweat.
Swit let the rock rest in her lap. She ran her hands over it, thrilling at the imagined feel of her magic. Moving closer to Clavin she held it in both hands, raising her hands above her head, ready to swing them downwards in a hammer blow culminating in a bloody meeting between rock and skull.
...
Swit did not notice the shape which crept up behind her. Just as her downswing commenced it spoke.
"I wouldn't do that".
Swits swing went wild, aborted out of suprise and shock. She fell akwardly over Clavins legs who awoke suddenly with reddened eyes. They both stared in shock at the ragged, naked, wrinkled old woman who sttod but meters away. "Got ourselves into a spot of bother have we?" she cackled.
"Aye" responded Swit "quite a bit of trouble". "Tsk. tsk, you young people and your silly ways, look at him" the old woman spoke limping over to examine Clavins face "just about dead this one, lucky I came by when I did". Swit made no reply, but moved her hand away from the rock. The old woman grinned at her showing a mouth devoid of all teeth bar one.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
Two sat in suprised, stunned, silience. One grinned back. "Come along then" said the decrepid elderly naked woman "Shelter, food await". Swit helped Clavin to his feet and supported him as they followed the woman along a twisting chasm. Occasionally she would stop and stare at a wall for a moment for no apparent purpose. It was noted by the pair but not commented upon.
The travel was was slow, Swit burdened by Clavin, Clavin burdened by thirst, wounds, lack of food, and the elderly woman burdened with age. Perhaps an hour passed and the chasm floor began to slope upwards. Small bones, long since having been discarded began to appear in small piles. The piles grew larger as their destination presumably drew closer.
Abrubtly the elderly woman turned on the spot and slipped into a crevice in the rocky wall. Swit and Clavin followed as best they could given the circumstances under which they travelled.
Blackness stole the light from their eyes, and a foul stench stole the breath from their lungs.
The travel was was slow, Swit burdened by Clavin, Clavin burdened by thirst, wounds, lack of food, and the elderly woman burdened with age. Perhaps an hour passed and the chasm floor began to slope upwards. Small bones, long since having been discarded began to appear in small piles. The piles grew larger as their destination presumably drew closer.
Abrubtly the elderly woman turned on the spot and slipped into a crevice in the rocky wall. Swit and Clavin followed as best they could given the circumstances under which they travelled.
Blackness stole the light from their eyes, and a foul stench stole the breath from their lungs.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
Their reaction was immediate. Swit let go of Clavin who fell to the floor and vomited noisily. A finger click lit up the darkness, sourced at the digits of the elderly woman who looked at them in a puzled manner. At strange odds with her look was the crack in the wall which branched out into a natural rough cavern strewn with festering and rotting corpses.
"Oh dont mind them" said the old woman "got to put them somewhere" Swit just stared in shock whilst Clavin heaved his guts dry. One of the corpses shifted slightly causing Swit to turn on the spot and flee for the exit. She was pulled up short by the chain and fell backwards, crying out in suprise as she did so. Clavin cried out in agony as the chains tore at his ragged sores.
The source of the shifting proved itself to be a miniature Otyugh which burst forth from the corpses and ran at the old woman with its mouth wide open. She kicked it back into the pile where it burrowed its way into safety. "Oh and dont mind Chomper, hes harmless really" cackled the old woman.
"We have to get out of here" hissed Swit into Clavins ear. He was to weak from exhaustion to respond. He slumped to the ground, eyes closed. This left Swit to look up and meet the gaze of the old woman, surrounded by rotting corpses and a fetid stench.
"Oh dont mind them" said the old woman "got to put them somewhere" Swit just stared in shock whilst Clavin heaved his guts dry. One of the corpses shifted slightly causing Swit to turn on the spot and flee for the exit. She was pulled up short by the chain and fell backwards, crying out in suprise as she did so. Clavin cried out in agony as the chains tore at his ragged sores.
The source of the shifting proved itself to be a miniature Otyugh which burst forth from the corpses and ran at the old woman with its mouth wide open. She kicked it back into the pile where it burrowed its way into safety. "Oh and dont mind Chomper, hes harmless really" cackled the old woman.
"We have to get out of here" hissed Swit into Clavins ear. He was to weak from exhaustion to respond. He slumped to the ground, eyes closed. This left Swit to look up and meet the gaze of the old woman, surrounded by rotting corpses and a fetid stench.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
Time moved at an agonising pace. Swit tried to hold the old womans gaze but failed as her eyes watered. She hacked and coughed violently. Clavin did not stir. "You young ones are so sensitive" remarked the old woman moving her hands seemingly at random. The air cleared. The cave ceased to echo with the painfuly loud coughing.
"Who are you?" demanded Swit, petulance giving her bravery. "I suppose you could say i'm something of a caretaker of these mountains, and if you need a name, i suppose Mia will do" elaborated Mia. "And these?" asked Swit pointing at the corpses. "Tresspassers, dead allready some...uhhh and that one was an accident" she said pointing with a twisted finger at one unmarked corpse.
"And what is to become of us?" Swit asked with dry lips. "Please go and lay yourselves over on the pile, thats a good girl" Mia said gesturing at the rotting pile. Swit didnt move. "Go on now" said Mia "be a good girl". "He is to heavy" stalled Swit. Mia frowned before continuing "Very well then, just lay down there, i'll start a new pile".
Swit did so, laying down next to Clavin who was breathing raggedly. She looked at Mia who just stared back at her. Some time passed. Swit shifted slightly still watching Mia. She made no comment nor did her expression change.
They waited.
Swits belly gurgled. She shifted again. Behind her Clavin stired slightly but made no noise. Eventually Swit cleared her throat and spoke "What happens now?". "You die of natural causes, that is to say, hunger and thirst" explained Mia "your friend is almost there allready, i expect you will take a few days longer". Swit paused then asked "So your going to watch us die?". Mia nodded happily "I expect we will have to have a sleep at some point but essentially yes". Swit did not respond, but rolled over to face Clavin.
He had stopped breathing.
"Who are you?" demanded Swit, petulance giving her bravery. "I suppose you could say i'm something of a caretaker of these mountains, and if you need a name, i suppose Mia will do" elaborated Mia. "And these?" asked Swit pointing at the corpses. "Tresspassers, dead allready some...uhhh and that one was an accident" she said pointing with a twisted finger at one unmarked corpse.
"And what is to become of us?" Swit asked with dry lips. "Please go and lay yourselves over on the pile, thats a good girl" Mia said gesturing at the rotting pile. Swit didnt move. "Go on now" said Mia "be a good girl". "He is to heavy" stalled Swit. Mia frowned before continuing "Very well then, just lay down there, i'll start a new pile".
Swit did so, laying down next to Clavin who was breathing raggedly. She looked at Mia who just stared back at her. Some time passed. Swit shifted slightly still watching Mia. She made no comment nor did her expression change.
They waited.
Swits belly gurgled. She shifted again. Behind her Clavin stired slightly but made no noise. Eventually Swit cleared her throat and spoke "What happens now?". "You die of natural causes, that is to say, hunger and thirst" explained Mia "your friend is almost there allready, i expect you will take a few days longer". Swit paused then asked "So your going to watch us die?". Mia nodded happily "I expect we will have to have a sleep at some point but essentially yes". Swit did not respond, but rolled over to face Clavin.
He had stopped breathing.
12.August.2015: Never forget.
Swits breath caught in her throat. She moved closer to Clavin, close enough that her hands were obscured from the sight of Mia. She whispered as quietly as she could, moving her hands trying to minimise any rattling from the chain.
She layed a hand upon clavins outstretched arm. Still warm. Clavin drew in a shallow breath as Swits healing magic took hold. Again she repeated the action, and again. Each time Clavins breath grew stronger, his color improved, and scabs flaked away from his skin revealing fresh pink beneath. He opened his eyes and stared at her. Swit licked her lips and whispered "She is waiting for us to die, we must kill her". Clavin shook his head slowly.
"We must kill her, or escape then" demanded Swit her hushed tones conveying the urgency of the situation. Clavin said nothing, and did nothing, closing his eyes and resting his head upon the ground. Swit hissed at him. Clavin cracked his eyes open and stared into hers trying to impress some message upon her. Swit paused a moment, then too lay her head down on the ground, her back to Mia, her eyes cracked open just enough to register movement.
Time passed.
Swit and Clavin did not move, did not react even when Clavins stomach gurgled noisily. They waited.
Out of the dim light, out of the monotony, out of the dangerous situation came a yelp of pain. Clavin jerked his head up and his eyelids open to see the small Otyugh attached to the leg of Mia, savaging it with its miniature teeth. Swit saw Clavins moment of hesitation and reacted herself moving to her feet, then towards the Mia. Clavin followed her lead.
Mia kicked off the Otyugh, and began casting at the pair. Swit was also casting now but was dragged from her feet as Clavin charged the old woman pulling taunt the chain. Both lost their footing as the old womans spell shot over their heads. Flames fanned their backs, scorching clothes and blistering skin.
With cries of pain Clavin gained his feet again and clumsily grabbed Mia. He ignored her struggles and grappled his way around her, slapping one meaty hand over her mouth and another over her nose. Mia thrashed about in his grasp. He yelled to Swit "Help! Stop her moving!". Swit moved in to grab the old woman but was kicked in the gut and fell backwards winded.
As Swit fell it pulled at the chain that held the hand that held the nose of Mia. She bit down hard on the remaining hand. A lonesome tooth peirced Clavins finger. He cursed and pulled his hand away from her mouth. Mia skirted away from him looking panicked. "Stop!" cried Clavin pointing her finger at Mia. Mia stopped in place, her face clearly fighting whatever compulsion had just been laid upon her. Swit clambered to her feet and began casting again.
She was knocked to her feet by Clavin as he ran towards Mia again. His charge took Mia to the ground where he straddled her. He rained punches down into her throat as she tried to protect herself by keeping her arms up infront of her face. A few solid powerful blows was all it took to pulp her windpipe and sufocate her. Clavin remained on top of her watching her die, then waiting for any movement or sign of life.
There was none.
Slowly, painfuly he got to his feet, turning to face Swit.
His expression promised consequences.
She layed a hand upon clavins outstretched arm. Still warm. Clavin drew in a shallow breath as Swits healing magic took hold. Again she repeated the action, and again. Each time Clavins breath grew stronger, his color improved, and scabs flaked away from his skin revealing fresh pink beneath. He opened his eyes and stared at her. Swit licked her lips and whispered "She is waiting for us to die, we must kill her". Clavin shook his head slowly.
"We must kill her, or escape then" demanded Swit her hushed tones conveying the urgency of the situation. Clavin said nothing, and did nothing, closing his eyes and resting his head upon the ground. Swit hissed at him. Clavin cracked his eyes open and stared into hers trying to impress some message upon her. Swit paused a moment, then too lay her head down on the ground, her back to Mia, her eyes cracked open just enough to register movement.
Time passed.
Swit and Clavin did not move, did not react even when Clavins stomach gurgled noisily. They waited.
Out of the dim light, out of the monotony, out of the dangerous situation came a yelp of pain. Clavin jerked his head up and his eyelids open to see the small Otyugh attached to the leg of Mia, savaging it with its miniature teeth. Swit saw Clavins moment of hesitation and reacted herself moving to her feet, then towards the Mia. Clavin followed her lead.
Mia kicked off the Otyugh, and began casting at the pair. Swit was also casting now but was dragged from her feet as Clavin charged the old woman pulling taunt the chain. Both lost their footing as the old womans spell shot over their heads. Flames fanned their backs, scorching clothes and blistering skin.
With cries of pain Clavin gained his feet again and clumsily grabbed Mia. He ignored her struggles and grappled his way around her, slapping one meaty hand over her mouth and another over her nose. Mia thrashed about in his grasp. He yelled to Swit "Help! Stop her moving!". Swit moved in to grab the old woman but was kicked in the gut and fell backwards winded.
As Swit fell it pulled at the chain that held the hand that held the nose of Mia. She bit down hard on the remaining hand. A lonesome tooth peirced Clavins finger. He cursed and pulled his hand away from her mouth. Mia skirted away from him looking panicked. "Stop!" cried Clavin pointing her finger at Mia. Mia stopped in place, her face clearly fighting whatever compulsion had just been laid upon her. Swit clambered to her feet and began casting again.
She was knocked to her feet by Clavin as he ran towards Mia again. His charge took Mia to the ground where he straddled her. He rained punches down into her throat as she tried to protect herself by keeping her arms up infront of her face. A few solid powerful blows was all it took to pulp her windpipe and sufocate her. Clavin remained on top of her watching her die, then waiting for any movement or sign of life.
There was none.
Slowly, painfuly he got to his feet, turning to face Swit.
His expression promised consequences.
12.August.2015: Never forget.