the worrd o' a kidnapperr?" Dorbin demanded.
"Point made, and taken. A man's word is more important than his life, because it is what gives him life. Without his word he can never earn trust, and without trust his potential allies will become certain enemies. Without allies he can never endeavor to live a full life and reach his goals. Trust, however, is a two-way street. Very well, I will extend a trust to you, in the hope that it will be returned." McRoy turned his massive head, to fix his one dark green eye on Rancoth.
"If I remove your gag, will you promise to not use your powers to harm me or any of my men, unless we move to harm you or your furious friend?" McRoy asked, his single eye never blinking.
After a few excruciating moments Rancoth nodded slightly.
"Good enough for me," McRoy said, reaching down with a hand the size of Rancoth's head to remove the gag.
"Thank you," he said, his words simple his mouth dry and cracked. His tongue felt shrunken and desiccated. The few drops of water that Crujen had given him had not been enough to fully quench his thirst.
"I will have more water and food brought to you. Once you are rested and ready, I hope you will hear my plea." His deep rumbling voice conveyed no ill intent, and his single eye was stricken with desperation and hope. The great hulking man then turned and left.
"All rright now, summon one o' yurr beasties, and let's get out o' herre!" Dorbin whispered harshly.
Rancoth almost imperceptibly shook his head.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO!?!" Dorbin bellowed, outraged by his former pupil's foolishness.
Rancoth looked up at the little rage-filled man, sadness in his eyes. "That man is desperate for help. What could cause such a colossal being to plead for help from two complete strangers? I have to know…and I gave my word." Rancoth said, looking down to his still bound feet. He knew that Dorbin was upset with him, but if they managed to get out of here alive, his old teacher would eventually find it in his heart to forgive him. He would not however be able to forgive himself if he ignored whatever it was that could drive a man such as McRoy to such desperate measures.
"A worrd given underr thrreat o' forrce is not valid," Dorbin said, trying to calm himself. "You hearrd them the same as I did beforre we arrrived. He'll kill us if we dont agrree. It's best if we make a brreak forr it while we still can."
Rancoth shook his head again. "They knew we were listening. I think what they said was staged to try and help us decide it was in our own best interests to cooperate."
It was Dorbin's turn to shake his head, realizing that Rancoth's mind was made up. "I hope that this curriosity, and demented sense of honorr of yourrs doesn't cost us ourr lives." He growled.
True to his word, McRoy had a young girl; Rancoth guessed around fourteen, deliver some water, and some roasted meat. Once the provisions were on the floor the girl made them promise not to hurt her, or try to run away. They did and she cut their bindings. She slowly backed out of their holding place, knife raised just in case they were not true to their word.
The water was cool and fresh, though both of them wished there were more of it. But after eating and drinking they were able to stretch themselves out on the soft dry ground, and exhaustion took over.
14
The next day Rancoth woke to find Dorbin already eating his share of the breakfast that had been left for them. It was not overly lavish, only two bowls of cold boiled grains, but with the added spice of hunger it was delicious. There was also much more water for them, and they both drank greedily. After one particularly long drink Dorbin wiped the lingering drops of water from his mouth with his sleeve. Rancoth noticed that Dorbin had taken the time to re-braid his facial hair, which made him look, and probably feel, more dignified.
"So, are you still mad at me?" Rancoth asked.
"You'rre damn rright I am. But I do underrstand. I just
"Point made, and taken. A man's word is more important than his life, because it is what gives him life. Without his word he can never earn trust, and without trust his potential allies will become certain enemies. Without allies he can never endeavor to live a full life and reach his goals. Trust, however, is a two-way street. Very well, I will extend a trust to you, in the hope that it will be returned." McRoy turned his massive head, to fix his one dark green eye on Rancoth.
"If I remove your gag, will you promise to not use your powers to harm me or any of my men, unless we move to harm you or your furious friend?" McRoy asked, his single eye never blinking.
After a few excruciating moments Rancoth nodded slightly.
"Good enough for me," McRoy said, reaching down with a hand the size of Rancoth's head to remove the gag.
"Thank you," he said, his words simple his mouth dry and cracked. His tongue felt shrunken and desiccated. The few drops of water that Crujen had given him had not been enough to fully quench his thirst.
"I will have more water and food brought to you. Once you are rested and ready, I hope you will hear my plea." His deep rumbling voice conveyed no ill intent, and his single eye was stricken with desperation and hope. The great hulking man then turned and left.
"All rright now, summon one o' yurr beasties, and let's get out o' herre!" Dorbin whispered harshly.
Rancoth almost imperceptibly shook his head.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO!?!" Dorbin bellowed, outraged by his former pupil's foolishness.
Rancoth looked up at the little rage-filled man, sadness in his eyes. "That man is desperate for help. What could cause such a colossal being to plead for help from two complete strangers? I have to know…and I gave my word." Rancoth said, looking down to his still bound feet. He knew that Dorbin was upset with him, but if they managed to get out of here alive, his old teacher would eventually find it in his heart to forgive him. He would not however be able to forgive himself if he ignored whatever it was that could drive a man such as McRoy to such desperate measures.
"A worrd given underr thrreat o' forrce is not valid," Dorbin said, trying to calm himself. "You hearrd them the same as I did beforre we arrrived. He'll kill us if we dont agrree. It's best if we make a brreak forr it while we still can."
Rancoth shook his head again. "They knew we were listening. I think what they said was staged to try and help us decide it was in our own best interests to cooperate."
It was Dorbin's turn to shake his head, realizing that Rancoth's mind was made up. "I hope that this curriosity, and demented sense of honorr of yourrs doesn't cost us ourr lives." He growled.
True to his word, McRoy had a young girl; Rancoth guessed around fourteen, deliver some water, and some roasted meat. Once the provisions were on the floor the girl made them promise not to hurt her, or try to run away. They did and she cut their bindings. She slowly backed out of their holding place, knife raised just in case they were not true to their word.
The water was cool and fresh, though both of them wished there were more of it. But after eating and drinking they were able to stretch themselves out on the soft dry ground, and exhaustion took over.
14
The next day Rancoth woke to find Dorbin already eating his share of the breakfast that had been left for them. It was not overly lavish, only two bowls of cold boiled grains, but with the added spice of hunger it was delicious. There was also much more water for them, and they both drank greedily. After one particularly long drink Dorbin wiped the lingering drops of water from his mouth with his sleeve. Rancoth noticed that Dorbin had taken the time to re-braid his facial hair, which made him look, and probably feel, more dignified.
"So, are you still mad at me?" Rancoth asked.
"You'rre damn rright I am. But I do underrstand. I just
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