House Care
Midday light cast flickering rainbows through the droplets as they passed above multicolored flowers. Lined up neatly by type, the blossoms were doused with water by a short man with black hair. His slender figure was covered in a brown, woolen robe. While one hand gripped a wooden ladle with a deep cup, the other held a bucket filled with water. Casting the water out, his lips parted to reveal perfectly white teeth.
“Koshi, thank you. I had just finished cleaning the meeting room and was just about to come water the flowers myself.” Announced a woman whose voice never changed pitch. She parted a pair of screen doors that lead into a small room of the castle. She bowed at the waist to the man while bringing her left arm touch her right ear.
Koshi chuckled, “Don't worry about it, Ferah. Ouira is on a job and he'd never forgive me if I let his precious flowers wilt in his absence.”
“It is rather warm. Come inside and I'll get us some tea to drink.” Ferah nodded before turning on her heel. As Koshi reached the landing, Ferah added, “And don't forget to take off your dirty sandals.” The man halted mid step and looked down at his feet. With a soft chuckle, he slipped his tanned feet out from his footwear. Setting the ladle and bucket down, Koshi entered the castle.
A pair of chairs with pillows on the seats made for his height sat next to a table with a larger seat facing the garden. Leaning back, Koshi smiled at the ceiling as a gentle breeze ran over his pale lips. Ferah returned with a wooden pitcher of tea and a pair of carved cups on a platter. She set down the drinks and took a seat herself.
“Today is your anniversary, you know.” Ferah announced while pouring their drinks. Handing Koshi his cup, she added in her usual monotone, “So, thank you for always keeping the gardens in order. It enables me to focus on the castle itself.”
“You don't need to thank me. I've been tending gardens my whole life. There's just something about plants I've always adored. So, getting to mostly tend to the fields and garden has been nothing but a pleasure for me.” Koshi nodded before taking a drink. Letting out a content sigh, the man asked, “How is our special guest doing?”
“Uncooperative, unfortunately for him. I've been considering asking Mask for one of her poisons since normal physical persuasion isn't working.” Ferah explained before pouring a fresh drink for Koshi. Bringing a thoughtful hand to the cheek of her inexpressive face Ferah asked, “Koshi, you know a bit about toxins and poisons too, don't you? Do you know of one that might stimulate an Elven male's sexual inhibitions?”
“Surely a beautiful woman such as yourself would have no trouble arousing any male of any race,” Koshi flirted through a sly smirk.
Without flinching or batting an eye Ferah said, “Flattery aside, he comes from a sect of fanatics who view sexuality as something limited a few specific 'sacred times'. I'd like to see if sexual denial would work where pain has failed.”
“Well, I know of a few compounds I could try but I don't know if they'll have the desired results on you Elves.” Koshi shrugged before finishing off his cup. With a chuckle, he added, “I'll meet you downstairs after I've mixed up a few. Alright? After all, experimentation is required to gain knowledge.”
Koshi passed through the kitchen where a middle aged man was busy cleaning the dishes from lunch. A set of stairs made in alternatively long and short lengths lead him down to the cellar. Several carcasses hung from hooks latched into the ceiling while boxes of varying sizes kept ingredients protected. Reaching the far wall, Koshi ran his hand along the stones until his hand passed through. With a chuckle to himself, Koshi said, “The Commander is getting better with illusions. Guess that time with Ouira is paying off.”
Passing through the false stone, Koshi stepped into a hallway illuminated by crystals mounted on sticks. Seven iron banded doors made to fit much larger bodies lined the walls. Three were on either side while one was facing the entrance. Knocking on the closest door, it slowly creaked open to reveal a blackness beyond. Stepping inside, Koshi's eyes quickly adjusted to the pitch black. He examined the room to notice two figures seated across one from one another. One was strapped to the wooden chair by its chest, limbs and head. Koshi let out a sigh before asking, “Isn't it bad for your vision to sit in the dark like this?”
“I've always felt more comfortable in the shadows. Besides, my eyes are closed so I doubt it'd do me much harm.” Ferah responded in her usual monotone. She motioned to a small table next to the man that was covered in various tools and torture implements. More than a few were freshly stained.
“As you wish. So, shall I begin?” Koshi shrugged before receiving a nod from the unbound person. Koshi looked to the victim and untied a small sack he'd brought along from his waist. Several vials and small pouches poured out next to the tools. Taking a vial that's contents moved sluggishly when tipped into his hand, Koshi asked, “Oh, would you care for an explanation of what I'm applying?”
“That's unnecessary. I trust you not to kill him.” Ferah responded coldly. Koshi looked over the restrained elf. He wore a sleeveless robe that hung loosely around his anorexic form. Noticing a long cut around his stomach, Koshi uncorked his vial. Letting the mixture slowly drip into the open wound, Koshi began counting. After the final bit was poured out, he watched silently as the bound Elf did nothing.
Folding his arms, Koshi began to circle his victim. He let out a sigh causing Ferah to ask, “Are you ready to try the next one?”
“Yes,” Koshi nodded and fetched a pouch of a slimy mixture. Applying it to his chest, Koshi then circled the man three times. With an annoyed sigh, he took a new vial out. Despite being so much shorter than the elf, Koshi took hold of the man's jaw to force it open. He halted after wresting his mouth open and sniffed several times. Turning to Ferah he asked, “Have you been feeding him something bitter?”
“No, just bread and water. Why?”
“Come take a smell,” Koshi motioned towards the man's open mouth before remembering the Elven woman couldn't see him. Despite this, Ferah rose and walked over to the man. Leaning close, she took a sniff as well.
“My apologies, Koshi.” Ferah spoke in her eternal monotone, “I don't know how but that is Clear root juice. It's a numbing agent that's potentially toxic. No wonder he wasn't screaming when I broke his fingers and arms. I just thought he was well trained.”
“He has a wooden tooth, I imagine it's soaked in that Clear root juice.” Koshi observed. Without hesitation, Ferah walked over to the table. Her hands reached exactly for where she kept a pair of pliers. With both torturers holding his mouth open, Ferah ripped the false tooth free in a spray of blood.
Ferah let out a sigh before explaining, “It'll take roughly a day for that to clear out from his system. So, I suppose we'll just have to wait. I'll grant you that time to think over my questions, Teryll.” She hooked a finger for Koshi to follow after she deposited her tool onto the table.
The door swung open on its own and closed behind the pair. Once in the hallway, Ferah bowed placing her left arm to her right ear once more. Her voice as neutral as ever, “Thank you for your assistance, I likely would have taken much longer to break him alone. I shall prepare a proper reward and cook for you tonight.”
“You don't have to go through that much trouble. I'm just happy to help,” Koshi shook his head.
“A good mercenary repays debts equally, the Commander says that. Would you prefer access to a 'beautiful woman' such as myself?” Ferah asked with the faintest quirk of lips but in the same monotone, “Or, I could offer to let you test one of your concoctions on me.”
“Fine, fine.” Koshi sighed, “Meet me by the Den's gate after nightfall for dinner. Consider it a compromise between the latter two. Alright?” Ferah curtsied, holding up a non-existant dress before vanishing beyond the illusory stone wall. Standing there for a moment, Koshi asked himself aloud, “Wait, did I just see her smile?” Shaking his head side to side, Koshi let out a sigh. Walking past the illusion, he went to prepare for dinner.
“Koshi, thank you. I had just finished cleaning the meeting room and was just about to come water the flowers myself.” Announced a woman whose voice never changed pitch. She parted a pair of screen doors that lead into a small room of the castle. She bowed at the waist to the man while bringing her left arm touch her right ear.
Koshi chuckled, “Don't worry about it, Ferah. Ouira is on a job and he'd never forgive me if I let his precious flowers wilt in his absence.”
“It is rather warm. Come inside and I'll get us some tea to drink.” Ferah nodded before turning on her heel. As Koshi reached the landing, Ferah added, “And don't forget to take off your dirty sandals.” The man halted mid step and looked down at his feet. With a soft chuckle, he slipped his tanned feet out from his footwear. Setting the ladle and bucket down, Koshi entered the castle.
A pair of chairs with pillows on the seats made for his height sat next to a table with a larger seat facing the garden. Leaning back, Koshi smiled at the ceiling as a gentle breeze ran over his pale lips. Ferah returned with a wooden pitcher of tea and a pair of carved cups on a platter. She set down the drinks and took a seat herself.
“Today is your anniversary, you know.” Ferah announced while pouring their drinks. Handing Koshi his cup, she added in her usual monotone, “So, thank you for always keeping the gardens in order. It enables me to focus on the castle itself.”
“You don't need to thank me. I've been tending gardens my whole life. There's just something about plants I've always adored. So, getting to mostly tend to the fields and garden has been nothing but a pleasure for me.” Koshi nodded before taking a drink. Letting out a content sigh, the man asked, “How is our special guest doing?”
“Uncooperative, unfortunately for him. I've been considering asking Mask for one of her poisons since normal physical persuasion isn't working.” Ferah explained before pouring a fresh drink for Koshi. Bringing a thoughtful hand to the cheek of her inexpressive face Ferah asked, “Koshi, you know a bit about toxins and poisons too, don't you? Do you know of one that might stimulate an Elven male's sexual inhibitions?”
“Surely a beautiful woman such as yourself would have no trouble arousing any male of any race,” Koshi flirted through a sly smirk.
Without flinching or batting an eye Ferah said, “Flattery aside, he comes from a sect of fanatics who view sexuality as something limited a few specific 'sacred times'. I'd like to see if sexual denial would work where pain has failed.”
“Well, I know of a few compounds I could try but I don't know if they'll have the desired results on you Elves.” Koshi shrugged before finishing off his cup. With a chuckle, he added, “I'll meet you downstairs after I've mixed up a few. Alright? After all, experimentation is required to gain knowledge.”
Koshi passed through the kitchen where a middle aged man was busy cleaning the dishes from lunch. A set of stairs made in alternatively long and short lengths lead him down to the cellar. Several carcasses hung from hooks latched into the ceiling while boxes of varying sizes kept ingredients protected. Reaching the far wall, Koshi ran his hand along the stones until his hand passed through. With a chuckle to himself, Koshi said, “The Commander is getting better with illusions. Guess that time with Ouira is paying off.”
Passing through the false stone, Koshi stepped into a hallway illuminated by crystals mounted on sticks. Seven iron banded doors made to fit much larger bodies lined the walls. Three were on either side while one was facing the entrance. Knocking on the closest door, it slowly creaked open to reveal a blackness beyond. Stepping inside, Koshi's eyes quickly adjusted to the pitch black. He examined the room to notice two figures seated across one from one another. One was strapped to the wooden chair by its chest, limbs and head. Koshi let out a sigh before asking, “Isn't it bad for your vision to sit in the dark like this?”
“I've always felt more comfortable in the shadows. Besides, my eyes are closed so I doubt it'd do me much harm.” Ferah responded in her usual monotone. She motioned to a small table next to the man that was covered in various tools and torture implements. More than a few were freshly stained.
“As you wish. So, shall I begin?” Koshi shrugged before receiving a nod from the unbound person. Koshi looked to the victim and untied a small sack he'd brought along from his waist. Several vials and small pouches poured out next to the tools. Taking a vial that's contents moved sluggishly when tipped into his hand, Koshi asked, “Oh, would you care for an explanation of what I'm applying?”
“That's unnecessary. I trust you not to kill him.” Ferah responded coldly. Koshi looked over the restrained elf. He wore a sleeveless robe that hung loosely around his anorexic form. Noticing a long cut around his stomach, Koshi uncorked his vial. Letting the mixture slowly drip into the open wound, Koshi began counting. After the final bit was poured out, he watched silently as the bound Elf did nothing.
Folding his arms, Koshi began to circle his victim. He let out a sigh causing Ferah to ask, “Are you ready to try the next one?”
“Yes,” Koshi nodded and fetched a pouch of a slimy mixture. Applying it to his chest, Koshi then circled the man three times. With an annoyed sigh, he took a new vial out. Despite being so much shorter than the elf, Koshi took hold of the man's jaw to force it open. He halted after wresting his mouth open and sniffed several times. Turning to Ferah he asked, “Have you been feeding him something bitter?”
“No, just bread and water. Why?”
“Come take a smell,” Koshi motioned towards the man's open mouth before remembering the Elven woman couldn't see him. Despite this, Ferah rose and walked over to the man. Leaning close, she took a sniff as well.
“My apologies, Koshi.” Ferah spoke in her eternal monotone, “I don't know how but that is Clear root juice. It's a numbing agent that's potentially toxic. No wonder he wasn't screaming when I broke his fingers and arms. I just thought he was well trained.”
“He has a wooden tooth, I imagine it's soaked in that Clear root juice.” Koshi observed. Without hesitation, Ferah walked over to the table. Her hands reached exactly for where she kept a pair of pliers. With both torturers holding his mouth open, Ferah ripped the false tooth free in a spray of blood.
Ferah let out a sigh before explaining, “It'll take roughly a day for that to clear out from his system. So, I suppose we'll just have to wait. I'll grant you that time to think over my questions, Teryll.” She hooked a finger for Koshi to follow after she deposited her tool onto the table.
The door swung open on its own and closed behind the pair. Once in the hallway, Ferah bowed placing her left arm to her right ear once more. Her voice as neutral as ever, “Thank you for your assistance, I likely would have taken much longer to break him alone. I shall prepare a proper reward and cook for you tonight.”
“You don't have to go through that much trouble. I'm just happy to help,” Koshi shook his head.
“A good mercenary repays debts equally, the Commander says that. Would you prefer access to a 'beautiful woman' such as myself?” Ferah asked with the faintest quirk of lips but in the same monotone, “Or, I could offer to let you test one of your concoctions on me.”
“Fine, fine.” Koshi sighed, “Meet me by the Den's gate after nightfall for dinner. Consider it a compromise between the latter two. Alright?” Ferah curtsied, holding up a non-existant dress before vanishing beyond the illusory stone wall. Standing there for a moment, Koshi asked himself aloud, “Wait, did I just see her smile?” Shaking his head side to side, Koshi let out a sigh. Walking past the illusion, he went to prepare for dinner.