The Rogues of Night; Chapter

by Cj in a place where I can sing my heart out

Chapter 16

            The dungeon, was cold, moldy, wet and very uncomfortable. Nacata was shackled with her hands over her head and legs pulled so close to the wall that the slime oozing off the wall seeped into her clothing. “Disgusting,” she muttered when a huge amount of dewy moss had slipped down her shirt. The cool, sloppy mess felt good against her wounds though.

            “You’ll get used to it darlin’,” sounded a smooth voice from the next confinement area. Since bars were the only thing that separated the cubicles, she could see right through. In the shadows stood a tall, gangly man. This was all she could make out from his silhouette.

            “Who are you?” her throat was dry so it came out barely a wispy whisper.

            “No one of importance. I should ask the same of you though. What’s a fair maid like you doing in the moldy dungeon like this?”

            “I am not required to answer that. But I advise you to answer a lady’s question.”

            “Hmph,” he half laughed, half snorted, “You’re quite headstrong.”

            “Girls who fight against evil often are.”

            “Well, I suppose. Not much to my taste though. Anyways, I guess you’re right. Allow me to introduce myself.” He stepped out of the shadows into the scant light. “My name is Keron, formal rogue, and have been here for a good year. And you?” He had deep forest green eyes and a pale complexion, his ebony hair went about half-way down his back and a impish expression was on his face.

            “Nacata, blacksmith, one day.”

            “Well Nacata, wanna tell me why you’re here?” He sat on one of the wooden benches in his confined area.

            “Honestly? I was tricked, and I am here, I assume, to be tormented until I give the whereabouts of The Rogues.”

            Keron nearly fell off the bench. “YOU are a part of the Rogue?”

            “Why not? They needed a blacksmith, and I have a score to settle with Darxon.”

            “Usually, the young women are newly-weds to a Rogue. Are you…” His blushing was faint so it went unnoticed by Nacata.

            “Nope, no one has caught my fancy yet. Did you think…?” She suppressed a snicker. “Keron, I’m not married. I have fallen in love though.”

            “Oh?”

            “Yes, when I was younger, ah fifteen or so.”

            “Oh.”

            “And a few months ago.”

            “Oh…”

            “But not anymore.”

            “Oh?”

            Nacata thought about how many different things that ‘Oh’ could mean. Interested, depressed, amused, relieved… All that in the toning.

            “Nacata, do you want to get out?”

             “No, it’s quite nice here,” she replied her voice dripping with sarcasm.

            “Yes, the walls are especially quaint. Seriously Naca. Do you want out?”

            “I’m hanging on a wall! Of course I want out!”

            “Then wait till night. I think I can help you.”

            “You had better have something good.”