Lament of Innocence

TARRION

I sputtered and coughed, my eyes shot open and I watched blood squirt from my mouth and onto the cell floor.

I groaned and looked up. My whole body hurt. I glanced at Selene and then to the guards. They had her wolf and were threatening to kill him if she didn't give away where the others were. "Leave-her-alone," I stuttered.

Talen turned and glared at me. "Shut up!" She barked.

Of course, I didn't shut up. "I said leave her alone! She doesn't know anything!" I was lieing of course, but I had been getting good at that. "I'm the only one who knows anything!"

Talen strode over to me, careful to avoid the blood on the floor. "Oh really?" I feared she wasn't buying it. "Where are they?"

I glared at her. No way was I telling her where they were going. She was not going to deceive me the way she deceived her people. "You really think I'd tell you?" I spat at her feet. My whole mouth tasted like blood and my body was in agony, but no way was I letting her see that.

A guard elbowed me in the stomach and I winced. "It's best to tell the truth," he hissed.

"You'd...have...to...kill me!" I said through breaths. They were obviously already doing a pretty good job on that one.

Talen grinned. "Let the mutt be with its master. The boy wants to die, he'll have to die."

"No!" Selene screached. She threw herself infront of me.

"Selene, I'll be fine. I don't care what happens, you can't tell them where the others are." Of course I did want Selene to give her life for me, but how could I be so cruel? I let the guards unchain me and tried to block out Selene's tears.

They released Fang and he stopped to sniff me, whimpering before sulking back to Selene. I smiled at them weakly and let the guards half-drag me back out of the dungeon.

"Alright. Go in, go out. No problem." I said. "But I think if they want to come, they should be able to."
I walked out into the crowd. Most of them looked scared, some sad. How could I leave them alone?
"I'm going to go back to the castle." everyone stared at me, like I was crazy. Maybe I was. But I couldn't leave Tarrion... I winced.
"We left Serene and Tarrion. They fought the guards like true heros to let us go," I said, my voice getting choked up. "If anyone else wants to come... they can. But if you want to stay here, they're plenty of people to stay with you." I waited to see what they would say, then turned to my new companion, his dark hair following over his eyes.
"Let's go," I said.

TARRION

I wanted to fight the guards....but I didn't stand a chance. Not like this. I wondered what the queen would do about the trail of blood I was dragging behind me. I grinned at the thought of soiling her beautiful floors.

I coughed again, and more blood pooled the floor. The guards released my arms and jumped back. I fell to the floor and grunted. The wind was knocked out of me for a few moments. I began to wonder if I should even try to run?

Running was out of my league. I grabbed my daggar and sliced at both of their legs. I cut deep. For once I was glad about my pain. Proved a good distraction. The fell to the ground, roaring in pain. They did't know pain.

I scrambled to my legs as Talen wheeled around. I made it to the bottom of the dungeon stairs before I felt a jabbing pain in my side. I blinked at Selene, who was watching from her cell, tears streaming down her face.

I feel into the arms of somebody behind me, probably another guard. Had I been stabbed? I prayed that I hadn't. "Selene...I-" I didn't get to finish. I coughed up more blood and I could hear Selene scream. This guard didn't let go of me.

I stared wide eyed at Tarrion praying that he would be alright when one of the guards stepped on my leg putting enough pressure on it to strain the muscles and I screamed in pain. Fang growled viciously and I said between gritted teeth "Fang no." He looked at me then sat laid down baring his teeth. " Oh goddess of life protect the prisoners protect Tarrion let me die in their place." I whispered as the guards and Talen left me alone again. I started to cry sobs full of pain and anger I stopped crying and screamed at the door " I WILL NEVER BETRAY THEM NEVER!!!" Fang came over and licked my face and I smiled weakly at him not feeling it at all. " Goddess please oh please let Tarrion be ok." I whispered burying my face in Fangs fur.

Tigger:

"Let's go." I nodded and started back onto the road leading to where the other two were. They walk was silent. A thoughtful silent. I wonder what they were doing to our dear mates. Torture? Most likely. They were probably whipping them...yes, most likely whipping. Deep lacerations across there exposed arms and legs. They might have even made them strip bare. I hope they didn't wet the whip. Oh, that's the worst type of pain...
"Can you stop that." Aris's feeble voice pulled me out of my daydream. I looked over at her and raised an eyebrow.
"What is it that I should be stopping?" She shuddered and looked away, up at the sky.
"That smile, it's creeping me out. And you keep laughing silently. It's really...strange." I nodded and laughed, pausing briefly to flip my hair away from my face.
"My apologies," I said with a quick bow. More silence, the awkward type this time. I cleared my throat and pulled out my knife and a block of wood. "Do you know what happens to the poor snail who finds himself full of trematodes?"
"Um, no." I smiled and started carving out a skull.
"Good. It's best you didn't."
- - -

We approached the castle just as a scream pierced the air.
"That sounded like Selene," I mumbled to Aris while at the same time starting to jog towards the entrance. "I'd know that scream anywhere." She looked at me crookedly but didn't dare ask why.

I opened the doors to the dungeon entrance slowly, making sure not to make any noise. There was crying from Sele, moaning from Tar, and some guard yelling. I think the queen was down there too.
"Stay here," I whispered to Aris while drawing my knife. She nodded and I sunk into the shadows. I moved closer to the noises, as silent as a snow fall. I plastered myself against the wall and listened in on their conversation a bit, waiting for the right time to strike.
"You're going to get it now, boy," a gruff voice yelled, a guard I suppose.
"Leave me alone," Tar grunted. "Selene, please don't worry." He screamed in agony as the queen jabbed him in the gut.
"Shut up, you filthy slug!" She went to Selene's cage and pestered her. Taking the chance, I advanced slowly on the guard. He was yelling obscenities at Tarrion. Before he could sense my being there, I covered his mouth and slit his throat. I turned to Tarrion and pushed him towards the exit.
"Go," I hissed," she waits at the door, to lead you to safety. The queen shall fall soon." He glanced at me once before looking back at Selene's cage and the queen. I gave him another push before he took off. Not waisting any time, I snatched keys from the guards pocket and advanced on the queen. She yelled and I covered her mouth tightly, opening the cage with my free hand. Selene hesitated at first, but quickly scrambled out, her wolf following behind her.
"Hello, my queen," I smirked. She bit the palm of my hand and I dropped the keys, replacing them with my knife. The skin of her neck resisted the knife as I pressed harder, drawing a thin line of blood. "How are you doing? Is everything going well." She growled under my hand, causing me to burst with laughter. "Such a shame such a pretty little queen as yourself has to die so young." I pressed harder with my knife, getting ready to slash away the smooth skin of her neck.
"Tigger," a voice called from the hall. "Tigger, hurry!" I sighed and put away my knife.
"You got lucky this time, my lady," I mumbled," but your day will come. Karma is a bitch." I kissed her forehead before taking off.

TARRION

I stumbled along. They had come back! They had really come back! They caught up with me and Aris pulled my arm around her shoulder. "Where's Selene!?" I demanded.

"Behind us I think," she whispered.

I relaxed and half-supported my weight onto Aris. Tigger came beside me and Selene stumbled forwards with Fang at her heels. I grinned. "Tigger, I can't believe you actually had the guts to come back here," I muttered.

"Yeah, like I'd leave you," he muttered.

Selene grabbed my hand. "Are you okay?" She whispered.

I was about to answer when Tigger hissed for us to shut our traps. I refrained from answering. We made it out alright and to be quite honest, I was shocked. I coughed up more blood and everybody jumped back, but Aris didn't let go.

"Crap!" She shouted. It stung my ears. "We've got to get him somewhere safe!"

I groaned. I forced myself not to pass out. My head was spinning, but I had to keep going. I couldn't afford to let them get captured because of me.

I rolled my eyes at Tarrions bravado and took his arm and put it across my shoulders. "If I get us caught I want you to take Fang and leave me behind." I whispered in his ears as we ran. He looked at me surprised. "Promise me." I said my voice hard.

*Okay guys, the queen hardly ever loses her cool, and she's a very deadly enemy. So make sure she doesnt get beaten too easily? *

Talen:

The queen shook herself off with anger. She noticed Fang running around blindly in the dungeon. Talen swung her quarterstaff at it with anger. The wolf crumpled to the ground.

"Excuse me, tell the tanner to make me a coat with this fur. Also, tell him to put the head outside the castle walls." The queen smiled a little bit and walked away.

TARRION

Selene seemed irritated by me. I smiled. "Not a chance princess," I muttered. No way was I leaving her behind.

Aris rolled her eyes. "Seriously you two, please focus on the task at hand here," she muttered.

Selene glared at me. "Oh stop the act, Tarrion. I know you're scared as I am. You're leaving me behind."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "No, I am not actually. And of course I'm scared! I'm just trying to block it."

Tigger chuckled. "Looks like Aris has competition," he muttered.

I wanted to thwak him across the head, but refrained. "Shut up Tig," I hissed.

Both the girls agreed with me. Tigger muttered something about how I had both girls swooning over me. I rolled my eyes and grinned. Sure I enjoyed it, but was I gonna admit it? Not a chance. Besides, I couldn't ever disrespect either of the girls.

"You're leaving me behind if I get us caught, like it or not," Selene growled.

I rolled my eyes. I didn't disagree, but I didn't agree either. I just kept my trap shut.

I realized with a jolt that Fang was missing. "Where's Fang?" I asked as we ran. Tarrion looked at me confused. "I thought he was with you." He said his voice as confused as his face. We all heard a high pitched howl that cut off in the middle and I froze for an instant but then went back to running. 'Fang forgive me.' I thought letting a small sob escape.

TARRION

I heard the howl and I flinched. I knew how much Fang meant to Selene. Selene began to cry, and I didn't know what to do. We didn't stop running, but everybody's face went gaunt.

"I'm so, so sorry Selene! It was all my fault!" It was in truth... had I realized the mutt was missing... I found myself wishing Fang was still here. He was such an amazing wolf...

Selene wouldn't stop crying. I leaned over and kissed her forehead, "It'll be okay, I promise," I assured her. But how could things be okay for her now? And what the heck? Did I seriously just kiss her head?

I felt Aris tense up...bad move. Tig smirked. What was his problem? Selene wiped her eyes with her free hands, but fresh tears replaced the first. I coughed up more blood at our feet and Aris barked at the others to get moving.

I felt my body shake with silent sobs and a guard appeared in front of us as though by magic I felt anger hatred and cold fury pound through my body. I let Tarrion fall against Aris and marched up to the guard pulling out a dagger. I stabbed him in his knee. " THAT"S FOR MY PARENTS!" I stabbed him in his stomach and twisted smiling as he shrieked in pain. "THAT"S FOR THE PRISONERS!" I twisted again. "THAT"S FOR FANG!" I stabbed him in the throat and as he died whispered "That is for you." I pulled ou my dagger and walked back to the others my face calm.

Tigger:

I smiled as Selene attacked the guard, silently applauding her bravery. She soon returned and took Tarrion away from Aris's shoulder. I tried my hardest to keep from dying of laughter. I honestly did, but this was practically a comedy! I could see the headline now:
"Come one, come all, to the play of the century. Young Tarrion, being of sound body and mind, has narrowly escaped death with the handsome Tigger as his rescuer. Tagging along are the beautiful Aris and Selene, who are both madly in love with poor Tarrion. Who will he choose? Who's heart is getting broken? Find out in the thrilling adventure of 'Tarrion, the...'" A sharp pain in my stomach cut of my thoughts...or what I thought were my thoughts.
"Cut it out, Tigger," Tar hissed. Selene was blushing and Aris was scowling.
"The handsome Tigger," Aris mumbled before bursting into laughter. I smiled and shrugged.
"Cut that out," Selene said through her steadily decreasing tears.
"Surely, I am not the only one that notices the-"
"Tigger," Tarrion said with a warning tone. I sighed and took out my knife and carving wood, starting to finish the skull.
"You can silence me now," I mumbled," but even the bird soon escapes the confines of her nest."

Aris

I watched Tarrion kiss her head and froze. Dang. I had no right to be jealous, especially in this situation. I continued to run, but spoke. "I'm so sorry, Selene. I'm so, so, sorry. But we have to get away now. Then we can come up with a plan."
Selene was silent. Could I blame her? She had just lost Fang. She wasn't sure if he was a live wolf or a dead body now. I would be the same.
But we continued to run until, panting, we landed in the camp, among the rest of the escapees. Selene continued to sob.

TARRRION

I didn't comment as Selene stomped back towards us, tears in her eyes. Had she seriously just done that? I blinked at her as she pulled my arm over her shoulder again. She began to cry again as we stepped over the guard. Aris was whispering conforting words, but I didn't hear them.

"I'm proud of you," I whispered into Selene's ear. She gave me a weak smile.

Tigger took a moment to come out of his stupor and began howling with laughter again. "Tigger!" I shouted, "Shut your danged mouth now!" He grinned at me. How was he my friend exactly? Selene had just killed a guard in cold blood and was going through a major loss and he couldn't stop laughing? Hoesntly.

I glared at him and rested my head on Selene's shoulder. I prayed that Aris wouldn't get mad. Or jealous... I was tired and hurting everywhere in my body. I needed to rest, but we weren't safe yet. I groaned in pain. Even Tigger frowned at me in concern.