Chapter 16
Partners
The room was large, with rough-hewn stone walls. There was one narrow stairway, also of the same gray stone, which crawled up one wall to the only door. The lack of windows made for a dank and musty smell. The door that led out of the room was metal, and from the look of it, very old. In the center of the room was a table, and Stephan Johansen was lying on his back, hands and feet tied to each of the four corners. He wore only a pair of black boxer shorts. Despite the chill, he was sweating. His eyes darted to his right, where a long bench stood. He could just see a thin metal rod, about a finger breadth thick and as long as his arm.
The door opened with a high-pitched creak as the hinges protested their use. Stephan tried to see, but he could not look that far to the left. The door creaked again, and closed with a dull thud. Stephan's breathing quickened, and he unconsciously flexed his hands. Once again, he tried to access the energies despite knowing the table made it impossible.
He could hear footsteps make their way unhurriedly down the stairs and again contorted to see who it was. He could finally see that it was a tall, thin man who approached. Cawnal Adar. His counterpart, the king’s left Hand. He should have felt better that it was his long-time partner, one Hand to the other.
He did not. He knew better.
“Oh, please, please, let me go, I'll do anything, I know I screwed up but I can still make it right! I swear! For old time’s sake! I was just following orders! How could I know she could break free? I'll not underestimate her again!” He stopped, panting.
Cawnal went over and picked up the rod by the one end that showed a reddish-gold metal. The other end was black. He held it up to where Stephan could see it and, without a word, the black end started shedding black ash, glowing of hot metal.
“I’m not much of a magic user, so I have to use these crude and messy methods. Fortunately, this doesn’t take much,” he said, talking to himself.
“But you make up for it! You are loyal to king and cause, just like myself!” Stephan assured. “We are a team, old buddy, no need for all of this.”
Cawnal looked at Stephan and shook his head. He continued in a conversational tone, “I’m sorry, old buddy, but the king really stressed you learn from your mistake.”
“My connections with the school system are very valuable for keeping track of them!” Stephan cried.
Cawnal nodded. “Yes, those will be useful. As he says, every obstacle is an opportunity. Even your failure will work toward his plan succeeding.”
Stephan wasn’t much relieved at the confirmation he was not going to be killed.
“He said he needs to have your face and hands untouched.” Cawnal made a grimace as his voice went harsh, metal scraped along stone. “So many nerves in the face, such a pity.” He touched the glowing end of the rod with a finger, hissing in pain through his smile. “So many lessons in pain, you should thank me.”
“I do, I do! You know I do! But would thank you more if we didn’t have to do it this way. And we have so much to do, is this really necessary?”
Cawnal looked at him, thinking. “He gave me specific instructions for what we are to do after this.” He paused, and lowered the rod. “I am going to go after the boy directly. And you...”
Stephan had a moment of hope. Maybe this time he had gotten through; Cawnal finally appreciated their relationship! They could agree on a story…
Cawnal's pause was short. “No, I will just save your instructions for after. They are very specific, and I doubt you will remember much if I tell you now.” He raised the rod, which was glowing white. Stephan could feel the heat from it on his bare chest.
Stephan's breath caught in his throat. For only a moment, however, for he was soon screaming.