Page 51 of Whispers of the Elderoak

Not listening, face now lit with hope, he urged her. “You need to escape and get to your homeland. Yes yes yes…” he trailed off and mumbled to himself.

“Remy, what are you talking about?” she tried asking but he was lost in his thoughts, mumbling to himself and looking around.

Wondering if he had always been this odd or if being imprisoned had damaged his mind, she knew he wouldn’t answer her now.

Later that evening,two guards entered the tent, carrying what looked like a big stew pot and some bowls.

“It’s time for dinner,” one of the guards said as he looked over Ava and Remy.

The body of the other prisoner must have been removed asshe slept, every trace of the captive erased. As if she didn’t matter. Had never even existed. Ava hoped if there was an afterlife in this world, she was resting peacefully with her loved ones there.

One of the guards scooped what appeared to be dark oatmeal into the two wooden bowls, sounds of the thick paste plopping grotesquely, while the other unchained Ava’s wrists. He put one bowl in Remy’s cage, and he took it and ate voraciously as if he couldn’t get it down fast enough. The guard then handed her a bowl and spoon for herself and stood over her.

“You will only be unchained for you to eat. Don’t try anything.” Ava looked at the slop and then back at him. “You better eat. This is the only meal you’ll get each day.”

Knowing she would need strength for her escape, she choked down the glue-like mush. After finishing, she handed the bowl back to the guard and he shoved a water skin into her hands and she chugged the contents, quenching her thirst.

“Um… what if I need to use the bathroom?” she asked tentatively.

She needed to learn their schedule. The meals and bathroom breaks. Times where she may not be chained so she could plan her getaway.

“Twice a day someone will bring you a bucket and unlock your chains. Anything more and you can soil yourself,” he said. “No one will be in again until tomorrow so now’s your only chance.” He retrieved a wooden bucket reeking of unwashed urine and feces.

It seemed as if this was the bucket all the prisoners used and other than dumping it, was never washed out. Ava tried to keep her food down as she looked at the vessel on the floor beside her.

Hesitating, she looked at the guard. “Aren’t you going to give me privacy? Or unlock my feet?”

He threw his head back and laughed. “What kind of fool do you think I am? The foot chains stay on. They’re long enough for you to move over the bucket.”

Stomach roiling Ava decided to get it over with. Humiliated she stood and positioned herself over the bucket, unbuttoned and pulled down her pants and released her bladder. She didn’t even try to ask for something to wipe herself as she knew he would laugh her off again. Quickly pulling her pants back up, she sat down.

He picked it up and silently walked out of the tent.

Ava remained silent as the other guard chained her arms back above her head, gathered the dishes and left without saying a word. Ava looked at Remy, already fast asleep, and was relieved he missed her humiliating bathroom routine, though he must have done the same many times already. It was nighttime now. She had caught a glimpse of the darkness and stars through the tent flap as the guards left.

How long had it been since she had left home? A week maybe?

She had failed. Utterly and truly failed.

In her selfishness to learn about her past and her anger at her mother and grandfather, she had brought her homeland’s own enemies back. Back to destroy and conquer. To burn and maim and kill. Even if she escaped, then what? Was she supposed to go to those mountains? Find her ancestors if anyone was even still alive? She doubted the fae would even believe her, especially when they found out she was the reason the daemon queen had returned. They’d probably kill her on sight.

18

Casimir joined Jorrar across the table from Quinn and Raine, watching them shovel breakfast into their mouths in the tavern. He reached across the table and served himself roasted pork and fried eggs, topping it with a thick brown sauce and set his plate down in front of him.

Sugha had spoiled them, ordering her cooks to make the largest breakfast feast as a thank you for saving her daughter and grandchildren. She had placed platters of meats, eggs, grits, berries and pastries in front of the four of them, insisting they eat as much as they liked. He took a sip of tea, steeped from local herbs Sugha grew herself in the garden behind her tavern, and sighed at the warmth.

He absolutely loved tea. There was a small tea house back home that had every flavor you could imagine and he missed it. Couldn’t wait to get home and sample their concoctions while he watched the animals visit the stream outside the window.

Home. He was ready to be back in the city. Though he took his role as general seriously and would do anything to protect his kingdom, he often longed for the quiet of Mosshaven. A simple life. That’s what he ultimately sought. Maybe after thewar was over he’d find it. What he wouldn’t give to sip tea by the fire while he read his favorite book without the fear of his home being destroyed. Perhaps he’d have a partner to share it with too. Someday.

But for now, he would focus on assuring the safety of his people against the daemon queen.

Casimir turned his attention back to his two captains across from him. “Do you know how disgusting the both of you look? It wouldn’t hurt you to eat more… civilized.”

Raine raised an eyebrow. “Like you’re one to talk. You’re so full of grunts, growls and body hair, I’m surprised you haven’t turned into an animal by this point,” he said through a mouthful of honeyed grits.

Casimir grunted as he raised his fork to his mouth and dug in.

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