Excerpt: The Black Daggers : The Lapis Agori

~ From the Prologue ~

Winds blow wherever they want to. They roll over hills, over secluded farms and busy cities. They fly and fly, move and move. They were free to go where they want to, if they wanted to. One of the winds separated from the rest, giving the Ashenland a refreshing breeze.
Fort Torque stood proudly on the hills of the Ashenland’s borders. The guards patrolling on the walls and in the streets made sure the tranquility could be kept, or at least restored as soon as possible. It’s huge castle walls kept unwanted visitors outside and the inhabitants safe. It also kept dark, vile secrets hidden. And where would be a better hiding place then in the dark, gloomy catacombs, where hardly anyone dared to thread? Hidden in those catacombs secret meetings were being held, the most gruesome rituals and ceremonies performed, and information gathered in the cruelest ways. And that last one was happening right now.
The torturing room had everything that was required and more. It also was a wet dream for most torturers, while it was a nightmare for their victims. The tools were arranged in an order of usage. The most used were in the front, often showing signs of their previous use. Dozens of racks, each with a different size or accessory, half a dozen Iron Maidens, a table stocked with Thumbscrews, Strappados with drops and even a Wheel was present. And somewhere in the back, where the most horrifying of all lay, a victim was being interrogated.
“Where is it?” Njord asked in a hissing voice. His bloodshot eyes pierced into his victim’s. He had been interrogating the man for two days straight now. “Screw you.” The man said, managing a smile despite his many wounds. A hard slap was enough to wipe it off his face. “Don’t tempt me to give you that much more pain! I want my answer and you’ll give it, like it or not!” Njord shouted, signaling two of his helpers forward. A quick nod ensured that the men could do as they please with the captive. Njord left the room, in need of a cup of Irisleaf.
That damned man! My lord will not be pleased if I cannot return with the answer soon. I don’t even want to think about the punishment he’ll have in store for me then. Why isn’t there any other way of achieving information about the Lapis Agori? How did those bastards find out where it is anyway? There has to be another way! Njord thought frustrated.
At least his victim’s cries of pain gave him somewhat satisfaction. With a sigh, Njord sat down on his chair, taking a sip of the cup awaiting him. They had captured the man in an ambush. He belonged to the feared Black Daggers, an organized Assassin guild which was infamous for its amount of success and ways of killing. Once he had been outnumbered with 10 to 1 however, even a Black Dagger couldn’t manage a victory. Sure enough, he had disposed 7 of them before finally knocked unconscious and dragged away, but that didn’t matter. Men could be replaced; a source of invaluable information however, was another thing.
If the man just would give in to the horrible ways of extracting information, Njord would grant him merciful death. Or close to one anyway. The problem was that the damned bastard didn’t give in though. He kept his mouth shut tight, even though his skin was being shredded, unneeded organs, skin tissues and the likes were being removed, and the most ruthless torturing methods were being used. Well, a moan of pain was heard now and then, but that wasn’t what Njord needed, pleasant it might be.
He let out another sigh, finished his cup and got up. Better increase the effort then. Grabbing a heated poke with the needed protection, he got back to his victim with a sadistic grin. Maybe some more heat would convince him.