Legends Lost Tesnayr

by Nova Rose

  * * *

  Small, razor sharp pebbles burrowed into Tesnayr’s palms as he crashed onto the hard earth where the orcs had tossed him. He got to all fours and received a kick in the mouth. Coughing, he spat out globs of blood. “What do you want?” he demanded.

  “I am surprised with your usage of their common tongue when there are other speeches more worthy of being spoken,” said a familiar voice

  Tesnayr looked up as Galbrok leered over him. “I will not dirty myself with your dark speech.”

  Galbrok smirked. “Dark? You used to speak it. Doesn’t matter. Our speech will be heard in this land like it is in yours. I must admit, Tesnayr, that you are unique. You managed to escape my orcs many months ago and now you have become the leader of your very own army.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Information. You know these lands and their leaders. You could also be a valuable asset with an army behind you.”

  Tesnayr looked defiantly into Galbrok’s eyes. “Death is more welcome than life as your slave. I did not betray my people then and I will not now.”

  “They are not your people,” said Galbrok, coldly.

  “Neither are you.”

  “You remember what I do to men who refuse me? Ah, yes, you do. All too well I imagine,” said Galbrok.

  A man walked into the tent. His curt manner told Tesnayr that he was not to be trifled with. Dressed in red, Tesnayr guessed who he was. He always wore red so as to hide the blood stains of his victims, echoed Jarown’s voice in his head.

  “This is Blynak,” Galbrok introduced the man. “He has unique methods for prying information from unwilling lips. You will tell me what I want to know before the end.”

  Rough hands seized Tesnayr beneath the arms and dragged him away. They did not stop until they reached the far end of the camp. There the orcs stripped Tesnayr of his armor and his tunic. The chill air brushed his skin causing goose bumps to appear. Roughly, his hands were thrust over his head as coarse rope glided over his wrists. The orcs secured him to the tree allowing him to swing with his feet barely touching the ground.

  “Tesnayr,” said Blynak as he paced around him. “Your name keeps cropping up everywhere I go. No doubt you have heard of me.”

  “Should I have?” Tesnayr’s sarcastic remark earned him a bloody lip.

  “Don’t play coy with me,” spat Blynak. “I know who rides with you. Now, save yourself some pain and just tell me what I want to know.”

  “What did Galbrok promise you?”

  “What I deserve.”

  Smiling, Tesnayr almost guffawed at the man’s statement and its double meaning. No doubt, Blynak thought he would get a parcel of land or some amount of riches. Tesnayr knew better. “You’ll get what you deserve, alright. To Galbrok, you are nothing more than the insects that crawl around in the dirt. Once he is done with you, he will leave you for the crows.”

  Tesnayr’s cheek stung profusely as Blynak backhanded him. “Don’t be so certain of that,” he whispered. “Galbrok may think he is running the show, but I have no intention of coming out on the bottom.”

  “Do you think you are the first person to try and outsmart Galbrok?” asked Tesnayr. “Do yourself a favor. Walk away, while you still can.”

  “I tire of this,” said Blynak. “Where is your army? How many men do you have?”

  “Why would I tell you?”

  “You will. I have yet to meet a man I cannot break.” Blynak gave a curt nod to someone standing behind Tesnayr.

  Instantly, Tesnayr’s back burned as a whip lashed across it. Blynak nodded again. A second stripe laced across his bare skin as the whip cracked again. Tears welled in Tesnayr’s eyes from the pain. He remained silent.

  Angered, Blynak ordered that Tesnayr be whipped until no flesh remained on his back.

  Long hours passed as Tesnayr endured the pain of the whip. Still unsatisfied at the results, Blynak ordered that burning embers be placed on his chest. Still, Tesnayr did not speak.

  “How goes it?” said Galbrok as he walked into view.

  “He still won’t speak. We’ve been at this for eight hours,” said Blynak.

  “You promised me results,” said Galbrok, venomously.

  Suddenly feeling the need to placate the leader of the orcs, Blynak decided to reiterate what he had told Galbrok days before. “Belyndril is ready to fall. You should attack quickly, before the king manages to gain an ally. By the time you return, we will have what we need from this scum.” Blynak gestured towards Tesnayr as he uttered the word scum.

  Tesnayr feigned unconsciousness.

  Galbrok grunted. “Giving orders again.”

  Blynak quickly found the right words to soothe the orc leader. “Merely a suggestion, my lord. There is word that the king of Belyndril has asked King Edrei to form an alliance with him.”

  “You told me that none of the five kings agreed on anything; that they constantly bickered and quarreled with each other, and fought endless wars. How could this alliance be possible?”

  “They do quarrel, my lord, and their alliances usually fall. But there is a change in the air. A change that seems to stem from the man you hold prisoner.”

  “That will change.”

  “Perhaps—,” Blynak cut off his words upon receiving a stern look from Galbrok. “My apologies. You, of course, know best.”

  “Remember your place in this world, human,” said Galbrok as he stalked off.

  A man approached Blynak. “How did it go?” he asked.

  Blynak smiled. “Very well. I have that scum eating from my hand. We will let the orcs destroy our enemies. They will make our work easier.”

  “Should we continue with him?” said the man referring to Tesnayr.

  “Leave him be for now,” answered Blynak. “We won’t get anything from him until he wakes.”

  A moist cloth pressed against Tesnayr’s dry, cracked lips. Wearily, he stuck his tongue out licking whatever liquid he could for his parched mouth. The few drops of water felt blissful to him. Gradually, Tesnayr opened his eyes and saw a young girl of about fifteen lifting a water filled ladle to his lips. She wore a black band around her upper left arm, a symbol of slavery among the orcs. Tesnayr drank what was given him, spilling more than what managed to enter his mouth.

  Suddenly, an orc yanked the girl away throwing her to the ground. She gasped as she hit the rocky earth. Covering herself with her arms, she tried desperately to protect herself from the lash.

  “You shall receive ten lashes,” yelled the orc to the girl.

  “Let me take her punishment,” said Tesnayr, weakly.

  “A noble act. Why would one do such a thing?” inquired Blynak as he approached.

  No response.

  “I have other plans for you. However, I agree with not scarring her delicate skin when her talents may be better served elsewhere.” Blynak stroked the girl’s rosy cheek with his forefinger.

  She pulled away.

  “You have some fight to you as well,” said Blynak. “Go!” He kicked at the girl as she scampered away. “Now, where were we?” Blynak held Tesnayr’s face up staring into his eyes.