Hashmire was holding out. They cut him and beat him, and still he would not reveal how to get into the boundary. Brurock was having fun listening to the screams of this Piskal. He would tease him, saying that they would take a break and then continue with much more fury. Finally, Brurock wanted answers, so he told a soldier to go grab Tanla. The soldier came up to her cage, and she fought the entire time before they threw her in the tent. She saw Hashmire, bloodied and barely conscious.
“You bastard! You will learn to regret this!” Tanla said. Brurock laughed in her face and brought the blade to her cheek.
“Such strong words for someone so tiny,” he said. Clearly mocking her. A bisect crux was brought in, and Tanla looked confused and yet terrified. They grabbed her and placed her on it, and she was nailed onto it. Her screams were making Hashmire cry for them to stop, and that’s when Brurock turned his attention to him.
“Oh, don’t fret, you’re next,” he said. A soldier grabbed him and nailed him to another bisect crux. They lifted them both out and stood them right in front of the others. Brurock was making sure all of the Piskalians were paying attention.
“Listen here! I will torture these two disgusting creatures until someone gives up the boundary. If they die before anyone gives it up, then I’ll find the next two to be placed on here. We will go this way until one of you tells me how to get in,” Brurock said. The Piskalians started to cry, terror devouring them. Shardoe walked into the camp to see the sight, and he smiled.
“I see you have found some good sport,” Shardoe said. Brurock smiled and put his hand up like he was showing off a piece of art.
“Isn’t it beautiful? I will get my answers from them one way or another,” Brurock said.
“Disgusting creatures, is this one the high priest?” Shardoe said, pointing at Hashmire. Brurock looked at him with curiosity.
“Not sure, how do you know he might be?” Brurock said. Shardoe went up to Hashmire and pulled his hand, resulting in Hashmire groaning with pain. Shardoe showed Brurock a ring.
“This ring passes down the line to the high priests. This is good news; this means the Piskal can’t be crowned king,” Shardoe said. This made Brurock smile.
“This I can use to get them out of the open,” He said. Shardoe became very serious.
“No, this means you should kill him right on the spot,” Shardoe said. Brurock didn’t like being told what to do.
“If I kill him, no one will answer my questions,” Brurock said. Shardoe was aggravated with this.
“It’s the price you have to pay…now let's retire and talk in private,” Shardoe said. They left the rest of the Piskals and headed towards the tent. As they walked in, Shardoe noticed that Druya wasn’t there.
“Where is Druya? I would suspect that he would love to torture the Piskals for information,” Shardoe said. Brurock knew he had to be careful, but at the same time, he didn’t really care.
“He’s on official Rhudon business, no need to trouble yourself with it,” Brurock said. Shardoe didn’t like being in the dark, but he didn’t feel threatened, so he decided to let it go. There was food laid out for Brurock, and Shardoe helped himself to some meat. Brurock was not happy about this.
“I have taken over Erafla, and they are under my control. No need to use those plans after all,” Shardoe said. Brurock didn’t like the sound of that.
“I thought the goal was to take over everyone,” Brurock said. Shardoe was annoyed with what he was saying.
“You have no need to trouble yourself with the small things,” Shardoe said, purely out of spite. Brurock didn’t go for the bait and just grabbed some food himself. They sat there in silence, trying to read each other, neither of them willing to give themselves away. Finally, Brurock broke.
“I won’t be killing the priest…not until I get what I want,” He said. This irritated Shardoe, which was the point.
“Then let me get the information for you,” Shardoe said, getting up. They walked outside, Brurock secretly excited to see how he was planning on getting the information. Shardoe walked up to Tanla and stroked her hair. He looked over to Hashmire and smiled. He then started to take Tanla’s water; she screamed in pain.
“Please stop!” Hashmire said. Shardoe then started to take Hashmire’s water. As they were both screaming, the other Piskals pleaded with Shardoe to stop. He did for a moment to address Brurock.
“You see, Brurock, the Piskals think this way of dying is the worst way to go. It goes against their religion,” Shardoe said. He then started to take Tanla’s water again and they all pleaded.
“Please let me say something,” Hashmire said. Shardoe stopped and was very pleased with himself.
“My fellow Piskalians, we must sacrifice ourselves for the good of our people, we must endure!” Hashmire said, which pissed Shardoe off, and then he slowly started to drain the life out of Hashmire.