Role

Chapter 2

Ah memories....

"Like dis, ye fook." I watch as Torturemaster Grimwal slides his knife just
under the surface of the man's skin, methodically flaying it free of his
right arm. The man screams and tears fall from his clenched eyes.

Concentrating, I apply my knife to the man's left arm. I find his flesh
resists, and I press harder with my blade. At last the edge chunks into his
flesh, but too deep. The man gives a grunt of pain. I try to plow the knife
through his flesh, but it's too far below the surface. Instead of the long,
thin slice of skin the torturemaster got, I only manage a bloody chunk of
man-arm. Fook.

"Nah, ye fook!" Grimwal says, shaking his head. He smacks the back of my head
damn hard. "Watch 'gain!" The man trembles as Grimwal's knife moves
skillfully toward his right arm. The blade skims the surface and pulls free
another long, pink ribbon. The man writhes against his restraints, screaming
in blessed agony.

I screw up my brow thoughtfully. I reach my knife toward the left arm of the
trembling man. I scrape its dull edge across the surface of his skin, but get
no reward. I try sawing. The man contorts in agony, but I can tell it pales
in comparison to the torturemaster's work. I get another swat on the back of
my neck. Fook!

"Go sharpen tha damn thing!" Grimwal sneers. "Yer done fer tha day!"

And just like that, I have to wait to learn more about flaying. Fook!. Even
though I don't get that lesson, I get another one: tools matter.

That's why, many years later, I was so grateful to receive the path of Venoms
from the Witch Ishuli. The insidious poisons are perfect for conducting my
research. Her blessings on my research project are most welcome, and I have
begun. I've written a synopsis of the book I'll write, and will seek her out
to discuss it soon.

I also work hard for another tool: the powers of the Eternal Night. I have
been given a task by Lord Morius, and work to complete it in a satisfactory
manner.

Each day my power grows, and I learn a little more. Soon I will bring
suffering upon all of Thera. I will know what it takes to make men break in a
way that Torturemaster Grimwal and his head-smacks could never fathom.