The prisoner scoffed. “I will not break to mainland scum.”
“I am not asking you to break. I am asking you to tell me what you know, so that I can help you.”
“You can’t help me.”
“At least let me try.”
The Imperial sneered. “How do you know my language, mainlander?”
Cendel saw no reason to lie. “I used to trade goods with your people on Avarwyth, many years ago. I went about learning your words.”
The prisoner scoffed again, looking back down at his feet. “You try to deceive me. The Diosa peel the skin of liars.”
Diosa. The word rang familiar with Cendel. It was the collective name of the gods of the Akurai Empire, colossal beings who torture sinners in the afterlife, known as the Crucible.
“No deceit, I swear. My ship was the Drunkard’s Delight, on account of the goods I traded… and my fondness for the bottle. I used to sell Alyrian wines to the docks and markets in Nightenvale.”
The prisoner returned his gaze with a raised eyebrow. “I grew up in Nightenvale. We have not enjoyed your country’s wines in many years.”
“That’s because I don’t smuggle wine no more.” The two smirked to one-another. “What is your name, soldier?”
“I…I am Veca,” the prisoner muttered.
Cendel nodded. “I’m Cendel. This is my superior, Sergeant Reneda. He means to hurt you, probably kill you, if you do not help me.”
Veca frowned at Cendel, then at Reneda, who waited by the cell door with his arms crossed. “So be it. I came to your country with no fear, like my brethren, ready to take my place among my ancestors in the Cauldron.”
“The Cauldron?” Cendel asked.
“Where the spirits of non-sinners go after we die in this world. You speak not of the Cauldron on the mainland?”
“No, actually.”
“So where do your spirits go when you die?”
Cendel shrugged. “Depends on what you believe.”
“And, what do you believe, little man?”
Cendel rubbed his eyes, exhausted and frustrated. “I don’t know.”
“The Cauldron awaits me,” Veca huffed to himself.
“You are ready to die?”
Veca nodded. “My people will sing songs of this day. Of our bravery in the fires of battle and our resilience in the face of your torturous hands.”
I’ll have to try another approach, Cendel realised. “Do you have bondmate back home in Nightenvale?”
Veca grimaced. “Dead.”
Damn. “What about family?”
“I have a sister who is sick. I look after her.” Veca’s stern demeanour went to rest as a glint of despair entered his eyes. The memories of his loved ones appeared to creep back into the forefront of his mind.
“I have a sister too, Veca, and I know that my sister would not want me being tortured to death all because I would not answer some simple questions.”
Veca shook his head. “They are not simple questions. You ask me to betray my people and face eternal suffering in the Crucible.”
“I only ask that you help me, so that I can help you. I do not want your sister grieving your unnecessary death.”
“You mainlanders are soft and hot-headed. Too many emotions. Pain means nothing to me if it means saving my people.”
“Saving your people?” Cendel asked.
“Yes.”
“Saving them from what?”
“From annihilation.”
Cendel was stunned. Annihilation? What does he mean by that? He was unsure of how to proceed with the questioning.
“Why have you come to our lands, Veca? Truthfully?”
Veca paused, considering his response. Sergeant Reneda marched over. “Time’s up.”
“No, ser. Wait,” Cendel protested, holding his superior back with an open hand. “Wait.”
The Akurai prisoner stared blankly into the eyes of Cendel and Reneda. He’s scared. But what is he scared of?
Veca’s grey eyes were glassy, unblinking in a thousand-yard stare. His lip trembled. It seemed he had finally broken. He then spoke softly, chillingly. Cendel had to stop and retranslate the words in his head as he spoke them.
“What is it?” Reneda said. “What’s he saying?”
Cendel translated. “He says that their lands will soon be consumed by flame and dust… that their gods have warned them of the approaching doom.”
Reneda looked puzzled. “What sort of blasphemous gibberish is that?”
Cendel continued translating, feeling the hairs on his arms stand and a shiver run down his spine.
“‘Fire and water. The earth will crumble, the seas will boil. Life will wither under an endless sunlight. The…the Winged One shall rise anew.
Smoke and ash. Stars shall fall from the heavens above; all will suffer and burn. Mothers will slaughter their babes to spare them the agony of the eternal fires.
The Final Ruin is coming. The war to end all wars.
The Last Cataclysm awaits us all.’”
Act IIThe Coming Storm
Chapter 12 - Pott’s Creek
Twelve years earlier…
“Ready,” Katryna whispered into Willem’s ear. Her body poised, legs firm, eyes facing straight ahead. Willem, her twin brother, lowered his posture at her mark.
“Steady,” Katryna said, mind sharp and focused. The twins stood side by side under the warm southern sun only a foot apart. They leaned into sprinting positions.
“Go!”
The pair rushed forward through the Castle Bower gatehouse from their hiding spot to the side of the guard tower, giggling as they ran. The guards at the gatehouse didn’t even get a chance to try stopping the prince and princess. They were far too quick!
Katryna and Willem were always competing against each other. On this day, they were racing to Pott’s Creek, a long run that took them out of Castle Bower and through the city streets of Ravenrock to a tranquil waterway along the city walls.
“Prince Willem! Princess Katryna! Wait!” a guard called from behind, jumping from his seat in a panicked frenzy.
But the twins were like lightning, sprinting down the drawbridge
