Inner Strength
Blood lay in pools that covered the ground of a dark dungeon, all of it hers. She no longer had the strength to sense his coming. She thought longingly, Where are you, my love? Pain tore through her senses as her jaw was shattered by a powerful blow.
“Why do you persist in these lies, there is nothing to be gained from your silence, only pain.” He shouted at her. With the last of her strength she lifted her face towards his, blood dripping down her jaw, and gave him a final look of defiance. He understood, the following blow rendered her unconscious. As she slumped to the floor he said, “There is nothing left to be gained from this one, kill her.” Two massive guards entered as he left. Walking quickly down the hall he sighed in disgust at the waste of such a beautiful woman but, orders were orders. A spiral staircase led up to the stables and he began saddling his horse.
Consumed by the task at hand he did not notice a dark shadow creeping closer. Jade stepped out of the darkness, his eyes blazing with an inner fire. Eyes wide in shock the man felt a sharp blade sweep through him. Jade towered over the fallen inquisitor and scanned the stable. The eyes of a hunter quickly spotted one stone, among many. He wove wind around it forcing a realignment with the others. A trapdoor slid away revealing a spiral staircase leading away into the darkness.