"Wake Up!" Pin pricks of light danced behind Quinn's eyelids that stung with dry pain. Cold iron held Quinn's hands in place on a rack that stretched his body to the limits of exertion. He could no longer feel his body through the pain and was dimly aware of the fact that he was even alive at all. Kahn had flogged him raw when he brought Quinn to this dungeon and then he was ordered onto the rack for a new round of torture. What little sleep he got was when he could take no more pain and passed out on the rack. It was a tenuous rest that lasted but moments before Kahn woke him with malice laden voice.
"Enjoying your rest?" Kahn asked as Quinn turned his weary, red rimmed eyes at his tormentor.
"Mystra?" Quinn said in a weak voice, his mind broken to the point of hallucination. He saw not the malicious Kahn standing over him but a dream of the goddess of magic delivering him from this prison. Kahn let out howling laughter.
“If only you were that lucky." He sniggered with vile glee. “Look at me with wakeful eyes wretch!" He slapped Quinn to consciousness with a hard backhand to the face. Quinn screamed and turned hate filled eyes on Kahn. He spat into his face the moment he recognized Kahn.
"Spirited. I like that." He walked over to a brazier and took hold of one of the handles sticking out. Sadistic, maniacal happiness passed briefly over his face before turning a serious sneer toward Quinn. “We’ll see how long you remain that way." He walked to the rack and waved the red hot brand back and forth in front of Quinn's eyes. "Now tell me who you work for?"
“I work for no one specific." Quinn said knowing full well it wasn't the answer he was looking for. White hot pain burst through his body and he screamed without the effort of knowing he had done so. The smell of his own burning flesh reached his nose when the initial pain subsided and he could think on more than the excruciating turmoil.
“I’ll ask again. Who sent you?" His eyes were daring Quinn to lie again.
“Even...if I told you....the truth I...would....still be tortured." Quinn gasped through clenched teeth. A barbaric hiss went up from his searing skin as he was branded again. Blisters erupted from the spots that Kahn pressed the iron into his captive's skin. He shivered with glee at the sight of Quinn's squirming body as it writhed in agony. He got such a rise out of torturing helpless souls. It wasn't until he heard Quinn sobbing with pain did he realize how long he had held the iron to his skin. With some regret he pulled the brand away. After all, he didn't want to kill the Halfling...yet.
"Loviatar would have me as her right hand if you don't tell me what I want to hear. The Goddess of Pain would cringe at the things I could have done to you Halfling! Now speak! Who do you work for? The Harpers perhaps?" Quinn wished the Witches had killed him for the death of Othura. That fate would have been much more pleasing than this, he thought morbidly. He had to answer something or this torture would continue to far worse heights than they have become. The only thing he could think of, however, was to pray. So he prayed to Mystra to deliver him from this place even if it was to be the end of his life.
“No answer. Truly a pity." Kahn raised the iron to press again when the metal door to the torture chamber clanged against the stone wall.
"Lord Kahn! I have..." Kahn raised his hand stopping the young Red Wizard's words.
"I told you I was not to be bothered!" Kahn brandished the iron like a sword pointing it with disdain at the wizard who was now bowing to Kahn. “Up! And out with it!”
"Sir, the fortress is under attack." His voice betrayed his fear as he tried his hardest to sound as professional as possible in front of the high ranking Kahn.
“It had better be a horde of Dragons if you’re interrupting me in my pleasure!" He howled with nearly controlled anger.
"Worse sir. It’s the Simbul." Kahn dropped the iron, stunned. Quinn couldn't help but smile. The Simbul was a hated and genuinely feared enemy to the Red Wizards. Being the deadliest of the Seven Sisters she spends most of her time hunting and killing the Thayan wizards. Quinn would have cheered if his brain wasn't numb from all the pain.
"Praise Mystra." Quinn sighed weakly. Kahn whirled around on his victim and screamed with bloody rage.
"You have caused me nothing but trouble since I've met you! I have half a mind to kill you right here but as prudence has it, I may have use for you yet. Jael! Unbind the prisoner! We may have a bargaining chip with him and I'm in the mood to parlay with death today!" Kahn barked the orders as he whirled up the stairs. “Bring him to me in more suitable clothes. I have business with a certain Chosen of Mystra. We'll see if the goddess of magic truly favors you."
To be continued...
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