Day 24

I can’t sleep, my mind is occupied with more important things. During yesterdays meeting with Algrix he said something about day 30 and a, well I did not understand the word he used, must be a word that can’t be translated. I did however understand the word transplant, I think day 30 is when I am likely going to die. My body must be gaining a resistance to whatever is in what he makes me drink, after a week of doubled doses the pain started going away when I woke up again.

Square-face told me we will be getting new prisoners today to replace the ones lost in this cell block. I want to know what is going on on the outside of this cage, maybe one of the new prisoners will have news. The Empires war path started 5 months ago and by the time they had taken Gray dale more than half of the coastal kingdom of Legre had already been conquered.

I really want a change of clothes almost a month of the exact same clothes is beginning to disgust me.

It looks like they are bringing in the first prisoner, two guards dragging a smaller man struggling against the two larger guards with a burlap sack over his head gets dragged down the line of cells.

“FUCKERS” the man struggling against the two guards shouts while being dragged before getting hit in the back of the head.

“FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN YOU SONS OF WHORES!” The mans words come out with a slur, he is probably already missing a few teeth from the ride here.

“STOP STRUGGLING” the guard huffs beating his fist into the back of the mans head one final time with enough strength that he goes limp, one thing I have noticed is that all of the guards here are fairly buff.

“De vais Ruat” The guard speaks in an exhausted tone, throwing the unconscious man 2 cells down from me before walking off huffing.

“That guy will be dead within 2 days.” Max speaks softly from his usual corner staring at the wall.

“I think that’s a possibility for all of us here” Muttering under my breath while moving back to my pile of hay and bugs that have recently taken up residence in my bed. After just meeting with Algrix and having to drink another set of vile liquid I can already feel my stomach churning, sleep is a good reprieve from this place.

Or so I would have, had not a half hour later Mr. small guy wakes up.

“HHHEEEEYY!” The man yells violently shaking the bars of his cell.

Shocked awake from my dreams of home by the violent yelling of the newest prisoner, as mean as it is I kind of hope a guard comes to knock him out again.

“Keep your voice down.” Another prisoners voice I have yet to hear speaks up in a venomous tone, must be another new guy.

“I will not be confined in a cage like an animal!” Although I can’t see his face I can imagine the spit flying from his mouth as he yells.

I think I can hear the guards coming, this guy seriously needs to stop. A series of 6 footsteps approach our cellblock as the man continues to yell and shake the bars. All the prisoners hold their breath staying as silent as possible, except Small guy.

“HEY! WHATS ALL THIS RACKET!” The leading guard clearly a cut above the rest judging by the gold insignia of a V on his tunic yells while speed walking this way.

I should probably hide in the corner of my cell, yeah that sounds like a good idea.

“OVER HERE YOU IMPERIAL PIGS!” He yells again causing the lead guard to snap his head towards his cell before slowly walking towards it.

“ah the little rat has a problem with his stay here?” The guards tone giving me chills from two cells over. “Vol en ceil, foval pas drei”

a chorus of “Ya Colemvra!” passes through the 5 guards standing behind the lead guard. Followed by the jingling of a set of keys and a pair of 5 footsteps.

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“COME AT ME YE BASTARDS!” frantic shuffling and thumping, I’m quite glad this happening more than 1 cell away.

“LET ME GO YOU TRI-p-huuu” The sound of a wump and an exhale of air stops him mid-sentence.

“Did you know the part of the human body that is most sensitive to pain is the tips of your fingers?” The guard speaks while the sound of a blade being unsheathed echoes through the cell block.

“AH-AAAAA you- AAAAGH!” His high-pitched screaming intensifies while the whole prison remains silent.

3 days North of Latriel at the coastal town of Thes’l

A fleet emptied of its fresh troops from the mainland of the Empire sails away from the lone soldier standing at the docks staring longingly at them.

“There you are Tarbul” placing my hand on his shoulder before Tarbul quickly smacks it away.

“Why do you have to touch everybody when you talk to them ya weird bastard.” He speaks while brushing his already clean shoulder.

“Hahaha” giving a quick hearty laugh before I get my bearings “Come, all the other men are getting their assignments and here you stand like a lost kitten.” Putting my hand around his shoulder and squeezing him while dragging the tan blonde haired fool towards the town.

“Good Thar! Would you quit with the damned touching?” He speaks while flailing his arms trying to force his way out in a spastic fashion. I don’t think I will be.

A long line of soldiers stands in front of several officers slowly separating them based on destination. The town center devoid of life save for the numerous soldiers. The town of Thes’l being the location where the Empire purchased land from the newly found continent only to amass its troops from across the seas to prepare for the war years before the war actually started.

“Thars will, I could have made it myself, you freakishly strong bastard.” Tarbul states between huffs.

“Yeah well what’s the fun in that?” I laugh while patting his shoulder “Anyways I’m getting in line, you should as well, with luck we can end up in the same place”

“I’m not sure I would call that luck..” he says in the voice of a defeated man with his shoulder getting endlessly patted.

Standing in line was getting boring so I decided to pester Tarbul some more.

30 minutes of a man with a hatred towards people touching him being touched later the line dwindles down. A lone robed figure eyes an unusually large man with logs for arms poking the red faced angry soldier in front of him repeatedly. The robed person whispers into the ear of a highly decorated general proudly watching the troops. He could work.

Poke

Poke

Poke, oh I can see his ears getting red, he’s probably furious. Since we are waiting in line in front of all the commanding officers he has to face forward and from back here they can’t see me messing with him.

“Soldier” a voice from my left speaks in a gruff voice, my finger out and pointed at Tarbul.

Turning to the voice I see a man with greying hair and a weathered face. The older man wearing a golden breastplate signifying someone far outranking me.

“Sir!” turning to face and show my respects with a hand over my chest, my face stern as I internally sweat thinking about any possible punishment.

“Relax soldier, it’s about your assignment.” The decorated man says with a ramrod straight back not breaking eye contact once. “See that small group over there?” He points to a group of 4 soldiers standing behind a robed man that is looking directly at me. “The robed person will decide your assignment.” He finished quickly before walking away, clearly not interested anymore than he is required to be.

Ok.. Well, is that a good thing? Stepping out of the line I make my way over to the man in a black robe watching me walk over. The moment I get into conversation range I realize that I have no idea how to greet this man.

“Sir!” standing at attention I choose the one way I know.

“Don’t worry about showing respects, I’m not in the military. Although your orders are to follow my orders.” The figure speaks cracking a bit of a smile at my expense. “My name is y’verra.” The women? Continues “I am a researcher”

“You mean that you’re a mage?” I ask incredulously, I’ve only ever heard of mages before.

massaging her thumb and pointer finger against her eyelids she speaks dejectedly. “There is no such thing as mages” finally shaking her head she continues “Whatever, the moral of the story is that we are looking for more guards to- guard our *Research* and from what I see you might just fit that bill. Think about it, you don’t have to fight on the front and you get fed 3 meals a day.” At this point she is staring at me as if anticipating my answer.

“Well, do I get a choice?” I ask while massaging my shoulder. I was kind of hoping to see if I could go with Tarb-

“No” she interrupts my thoughts with a monotone answer.

Slightly taken aback at the rapid response I pause for a moment before nodding at her, confirming that I will go. Though the choice was rather limited between going with and well... going with.

“Good, good, I knew you had it in you.” She says while smiling.

Well there goes that. “So, when are we leaving and where are we going?”