(subject to editing later if needed)
It was 10 years since I was taken aboard the Sea Serpant's Bane, having been found drifting on the remains of the boat I used to flee my homeland. The crew of the ship was composed entirely of Hyur, ones who still maintain a racial prejudice that has spanned decades. Dragging my near drowned self onto their deck and seeing what I was, they nearly threw me back into the churning sea. In my desperation at the time I lashed out with magic, producing nothing more than a sliver of flame, but that was enough for the captain to reconsider his judgement and see the use in keeping me alive.
So they took me below decks and let me recover, stating that I owed them for their kindness. To make sure I repay that dept, they fitted an iron collar around my neck. Complete with a heavy chain that they could latch onto the mast of the ship, or the captains own wrist if he wanted me personally. It was a dog's life. I was beaten and starved if I went against their commands, and rewarded if I did what they said.
"So how did it felt torchin' one of your own kind dog? haha! I mean their captain was a big freak just like you. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between them sea wolf types and you. You act all big but deep down your blood run's as red as mine", the crewman was practically in my face, I could feel the spittle as he spoke.
I looked toward the wreckage of the ship we had just attacked as it sank beneath the water. The Serpant's crew was already busy tying up those we had captured. They had fought bravely against a superior force.
********
During the battle their leader had been a large Seawolf Roegadyn wielding a gigantic axe. As the battle seemed almost over for them, he alone boarded our vessel and charged straight toward the upper deck, roaring like a beast straight out of the gates of hell. The crew that manned the deck attempted to surround him but were unable to even slow him down as stormed past them. He cut a swath straight to the upper deck where I waited, a single target in his sights. The captain's cabin.
I remembered the command and I stepped out to block his path. He swung his axe in an upward motion toward my torso. I quickly placed a shield of stone upon myself as I stepped straight into the blow, the earth now covering my skin took the brunt of the impact and gave me a chance to wrap my right arm around his weapon as I prepared a fire spell to use at point blank range.
Normally this tactic surprised most fighters but the Seawolf with a grin let go of his weapon and let sudden weight of the massive axe pull me down. The Roegadyn then charged and slammed into my torso, wrapped his arms around me and maintained his charge right into the railing on the side of the ship. Smoke from the battle below drifted up and filled my lungs, causing me to choke on any spell my desperate mind was forming. My eyes stung from the cloud and blocked my vision. My grip on his weapon slackened which he immediately yanked out of my hand and at the same time he kicked my legs out from under me.
He had me. I waited for release. I heard the swing, felt an impact and then the sound of my chain moving of its own accord...
"I didn't come for you Red, fighter though you are, there be no sport in killin' someone's pet"
I opened my eyes I found myself unable to move. The Seawolf's axe was now embedded in the railing and the shaft was now pushing me against the side. The chain of my collar was wrapped around both my arms and then the axe. Preventing me from moving.
The Roegadyn was now proceeding towards the cabin.
If he opened that door I would have failed. The chain around my neck felt larger and heavier with each step he took towards that cabin. I couldn't let him get there.
Gathering my senses I let my energy flow through into my arms. Feeling the stone that still encased it, I willed it released and forced it to focus on the blade that was embedded within the wood. The stones flew out and struck the blade with enough force to dislodge it. Now free I stood up and readied a fire spell.
The resulting noise from the stone hitting metal regained the focus of the Seawolf. The fireball had already left my hands and travelled what seemed like an eternity towards him. As we locked eyes, I was taken back for what filled his was not surprised or anger. It was pity.
The fireball struck him and the resulting blast threw him against the door, splintering the wood. He crumpled to the deck and remained there unmoving. I stood there dazed for several moments till the door opened and my captain stepped out. Glancing at the smouldering body with disgust he turned his attention to me and his face spread out into a broken smile.
"Good dog..."
*********
My senses returned to the present.
"Oi! I'm talkin' to you dog!. Tell me what ya felt, tell me what it felt like to burn ya own filthy kind!", the crewman started to laugh. A hourse and vile sound that seemed to echo inside my very being. The spit from his mouth splattered across my face.
And all I could see was the pity in that Seawolf's eyes.
" What I felt huh...", I muttered.
"Eh? Wazzat?", the crewman, surprised at me speaking leaned in close.
My hand moved faster than I thought possible and I wrapped it around his neck. Horror filled his features as I tightened my grip and lifted him off the deck. He was a like a doll. I felt a fire in me that I hadn't felt in a long decade.
"Ow bout I show ya how I felt....By burning your eyes out reeeeeeal slow, let the fluid in them boil for a good minute. BEFORE I TOSS YOUR SORRY HIDE INTO THE DEEP TO COOL OFF", I roared. I felt the energies of fire flow through me and prepared to relish the moment that was soon to come.
The fire I felt inside turned cold and black.
All the memories from back then flooded into my mind. I let the crewman fall to the floor and I slumped down to the ground. Now free the man skittered across the deck away from me before standing up and shouting to the captain. The next thing I knew there were swords against my throat.
I was beaten for weeks.
The crew started to watch me closely since then. With fear in their eyes. I was chained to the mast more often and left out in the cold night. Away from the crew members below. I didn't mind. I was still in shock.
What I felt then is what exactly how I felt 10 years ago.
When I snuffed the life out of my best friend.
It was 10 years since I was taken aboard the Sea Serpant's Bane, having been found drifting on the remains of the boat I used to flee my homeland. The crew of the ship was composed entirely of Hyur, ones who still maintain a racial prejudice that has spanned decades. Dragging my near drowned self onto their deck and seeing what I was, they nearly threw me back into the churning sea. In my desperation at the time I lashed out with magic, producing nothing more than a sliver of flame, but that was enough for the captain to reconsider his judgement and see the use in keeping me alive.
So they took me below decks and let me recover, stating that I owed them for their kindness. To make sure I repay that dept, they fitted an iron collar around my neck. Complete with a heavy chain that they could latch onto the mast of the ship, or the captains own wrist if he wanted me personally. It was a dog's life. I was beaten and starved if I went against their commands, and rewarded if I did what they said.
"So how did it felt torchin' one of your own kind dog? haha! I mean their captain was a big freak just like you. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between them sea wolf types and you. You act all big but deep down your blood run's as red as mine", the crewman was practically in my face, I could feel the spittle as he spoke.
I looked toward the wreckage of the ship we had just attacked as it sank beneath the water. The Serpant's crew was already busy tying up those we had captured. They had fought bravely against a superior force.
********
During the battle their leader had been a large Seawolf Roegadyn wielding a gigantic axe. As the battle seemed almost over for them, he alone boarded our vessel and charged straight toward the upper deck, roaring like a beast straight out of the gates of hell. The crew that manned the deck attempted to surround him but were unable to even slow him down as stormed past them. He cut a swath straight to the upper deck where I waited, a single target in his sights. The captain's cabin.
I remembered the command and I stepped out to block his path. He swung his axe in an upward motion toward my torso. I quickly placed a shield of stone upon myself as I stepped straight into the blow, the earth now covering my skin took the brunt of the impact and gave me a chance to wrap my right arm around his weapon as I prepared a fire spell to use at point blank range.
Normally this tactic surprised most fighters but the Seawolf with a grin let go of his weapon and let sudden weight of the massive axe pull me down. The Roegadyn then charged and slammed into my torso, wrapped his arms around me and maintained his charge right into the railing on the side of the ship. Smoke from the battle below drifted up and filled my lungs, causing me to choke on any spell my desperate mind was forming. My eyes stung from the cloud and blocked my vision. My grip on his weapon slackened which he immediately yanked out of my hand and at the same time he kicked my legs out from under me.
He had me. I waited for release. I heard the swing, felt an impact and then the sound of my chain moving of its own accord...
"I didn't come for you Red, fighter though you are, there be no sport in killin' someone's pet"
I opened my eyes I found myself unable to move. The Seawolf's axe was now embedded in the railing and the shaft was now pushing me against the side. The chain of my collar was wrapped around both my arms and then the axe. Preventing me from moving.
The Roegadyn was now proceeding towards the cabin.
If he opened that door I would have failed. The chain around my neck felt larger and heavier with each step he took towards that cabin. I couldn't let him get there.
Gathering my senses I let my energy flow through into my arms. Feeling the stone that still encased it, I willed it released and forced it to focus on the blade that was embedded within the wood. The stones flew out and struck the blade with enough force to dislodge it. Now free I stood up and readied a fire spell.
The resulting noise from the stone hitting metal regained the focus of the Seawolf. The fireball had already left my hands and travelled what seemed like an eternity towards him. As we locked eyes, I was taken back for what filled his was not surprised or anger. It was pity.
The fireball struck him and the resulting blast threw him against the door, splintering the wood. He crumpled to the deck and remained there unmoving. I stood there dazed for several moments till the door opened and my captain stepped out. Glancing at the smouldering body with disgust he turned his attention to me and his face spread out into a broken smile.
"Good dog..."
*********
My senses returned to the present.
"Oi! I'm talkin' to you dog!. Tell me what ya felt, tell me what it felt like to burn ya own filthy kind!", the crewman started to laugh. A hourse and vile sound that seemed to echo inside my very being. The spit from his mouth splattered across my face.
And all I could see was the pity in that Seawolf's eyes.
" What I felt huh...", I muttered.
"Eh? Wazzat?", the crewman, surprised at me speaking leaned in close.
My hand moved faster than I thought possible and I wrapped it around his neck. Horror filled his features as I tightened my grip and lifted him off the deck. He was a like a doll. I felt a fire in me that I hadn't felt in a long decade.
"Ow bout I show ya how I felt....By burning your eyes out reeeeeeal slow, let the fluid in them boil for a good minute. BEFORE I TOSS YOUR SORRY HIDE INTO THE DEEP TO COOL OFF", I roared. I felt the energies of fire flow through me and prepared to relish the moment that was soon to come.
The fire I felt inside turned cold and black.
All the memories from back then flooded into my mind. I let the crewman fall to the floor and I slumped down to the ground. Now free the man skittered across the deck away from me before standing up and shouting to the captain. The next thing I knew there were swords against my throat.
I was beaten for weeks.
The crew started to watch me closely since then. With fear in their eyes. I was chained to the mast more often and left out in the cold night. Away from the crew members below. I didn't mind. I was still in shock.
What I felt then is what exactly how I felt 10 years ago.
When I snuffed the life out of my best friend.