Legends of the Dragonrealm, Vol II - By Richard A. Knaak Page 0,337

things… or people.

She entered the building where he was held. There were no guards. They had joined the others, an indication of how important the purpose of the expedition had been to the clan. Sharissa made her way down a short corridor and peered through the first cell door she found. Being the sole prisoner incarcerated there, Sharissa was not surprised to find him on the first attempt.

It was doubtful that the elf even needed guards; after more than one thorough questioning and little food or water, he was more of a shell than a living creature. His wrists and ankles were chained, and the chains resembled her collar, which explained why he had tried no magic. His head hung forward, as if he slept, but the moment she put a hand to the bars of the cell, he looked up.

The fire was still in his eyes. They had beaten his body, but not his will.

“I remember you.” Though a bit hoarse, his voice was smooth and correct. “You look so innocent compared to the others. I suppose it works to your advantage.”

“I am not one of them.”

“You… you look like one of them, although you dress more like a woodland spirit than living death. You also walk around freely.”

She leaned forward, inspecting him with a different perspective now. “You don’t sound as beaten as you appear.”

He laughed, but it turned into more of a croak. “I am very well beaten, mistress!”

“No, I think you’re holding out better than you pretend.”

“You think I want this to go on and on? You think I enjoy this pain?”

His lips were chapped, and it was clear he was suffering from dehydration. Sharissa searched the area, but she could not find any water. Nor did there seem to be a key to his cell. She would have to talk to him from here.

“Listen to me! I’m not one of them! We’re part of the same people—”

“Which makes you a Vraad.” He took no pains to hide his distaste.

“We are not all the same! Look at this!” She nearly put her hands on the collar, but restrained herself at the last moment. Sharissa hoped he would recognize her predicament, else she would be forced to prove herself to him in a more painful manner.

He stared at her neck, but said nothing. She waited, always fearing that someone would, in the next breath, enter the building and deprive her of a chance for private conversation. After a time, the elf closed his eyes. The sorceress tried to ready herself for a demonstration that would, she hoped, convince him before it killed her.

“You could be a trickster,” he commented without opening his eyes. “The collar could be nothing more than display for my benefit.”

“I can prove it to you easily enough.” Sharissa began to tremble. It would not be an easy thing. She was brave, but no one liked the thought of accidentally choking themselves to death.

The elf’s almond-tear eyes opened, burning into her own. He shook his head as best his bonds would allow him to do. “That will not be necessary. I think… I think I will trust you on this.”

A sigh of relief escaped her. “Thank you. I was willing to prove myself, but this is hardly an experience I’ve come to enjoy.”

“I know the feeling.” He rattled his chains and pointed at his own collar. “My name, mistress—the one I give you, that is—is Faunon.”

“I am Sharissa Zeree. Definitely a prisoner like yourself.”

“I’ve seen how they treat you, mistress, and I wish they would treat all their prisoners so!”

She reddened. “I didn’t mean to downgrade what they’ve done to you! It’s true I’ve been pampered, but only because they think I will become one of them.”

His smile unnerved her. “Perish such a horrible notion! That would be like turning a flower into a weed!”

Time had to be running out. “Listen, I only came to see if you still have the will to escape. I know only tales about this region, and I’ll need your help!”

“How fortunate for me.”

“I would help you regardless of whether I needed you or not!” Ariela had never been this difficult to talk to! Still, she could not blame the elf for his rather cynical attitude. “Are you interested?”

He managed to give her a dry chuckle. “Do you think I would prefer to stay here?”

“I don’t know when I’ll be back yet. There’s… there’s another who has to come with us, but I have to find where they’ve hidden