Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.21T)
Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.
It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.
Here is the first post from this series.
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They were ushered into Ushochhushi’s presence by the same elven slave women, dressed to display their flesh and their master’s status. Retaak tried to keep his feelings hidden, but his lip curled.
“Do my pets not please you Retaak?” asked Ushochhushi, dressed in fine armour and flanked by two pairs of armed orcs with steely eyes and many battle scars.
At the Seneschal’s question all of the crew save Ashoktyaar bristled, sensing the tension between the two of them.
Retaak knelt, hating how it felt, and answered: “You know well, Lord, that I believe all thinking beings should be free. Even these elves, who are the enemies of our people. Nothing has changed. But while I serve you, it would be dishonourable to speak ill of you or your slaves and so I… I… beg your mercy to allow this to serve as an answer to your question, Seneschal.”
The guards flanking the Seneschal stared daggers at Retaak. His words amounted to blasphemy in the eyes of most Spawn, going against the direct teachings of the Dread Lords. Uyaashie made a disapproving sound.
Ushochhushi laughed. “I will have to send my compliments to Waachear; he finally seems to have rasped some of your rougher edges off. How many times have you been broken, old friend?”
“I do not recall,” answered Retaak, struggling to keep his anger in check. The Seneschal was testing him on purpose.
“Of course not,” answered Ushochhushi. “Nine times. If you were to add up all of the days that you had spent in The places of pain here and elsewhere in Bemachhorak it would be over five years of your life Retaak. Five years, lost to your own stubbornness. Tsk tsk tsk. But you have learned and now you are worthy to serve. The Dread Lord will be pleased. Let us see who else you have brought me.”
“Uyage, of course,” he said. Retaak heard her kneel, showing the Seneschal proper deference. “You are known to be keen of eye and very skilled with the bow, a fine asset who will see you through the wilds swiftly and surely.”
“Thank you, Lord,” said Uyage, voice even. Ushochhushi moved on, his boots clattering on the wood.
“Ashoktyaar…” Ushochhushi paused, examining the Troll. “An instrument with a single purpose.”
“Thanks, Boss,” said Ashoktyaar, interrupting the Seneschal. The guards bristled at such familiarity, but Ushochhushi merely shrugged and moved on.
“Uyaashie… you are known to me as a servant of Wechegak,” said Ushochhushi. “I am surprised that he would loan a prized asset to one such as Retaak.”
“My master was seeking to please someone other than Retaak,” said Uyaashie smoothly.
“Hmmm, he has,” returned the Seneschal. “Your skills breaking into places is without peer and you know a little magic as well. Good. That leaves Kuzat.”
“Ready to serve, Lord,” answered Kuzat.
“Are you able to hide a person’s appearance and true nature, Kuzat?”
“With some help, yes,” answered Kuzat.
“Excellent, that solves some problems,” said Ushochhushi. “This is a good team Retaak, I am pleased. “Before we discuss anything further, it is time for the oaths to be spoken.”
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