About 20 years ago, Lord Wolfrags castle,
Laochas watched, his face a mask of disgust and terror.
He watched the man, his fancy clothes shreded by brand and whip, as his face was held underwater. Everytime, the man came up he was sobbing and screaming for forgivness.
But Lord Wolfrags did not forgive.
Laochas wished to turn away, but his father's hand prevented that.
"Do you see, Laochas, how any man will break eventually?"
Laochas remembered the man who entered this castle; strong, dignified and defiant. That same man was now gruelling for his life at Wolfrag's feet.
"Yes father."
"Fine!" the man screeched desperately. "I'll give you the merchant's route." As he spoke, his voice went from high screech to a low, sorrowful moan.
Lord Wolfrags grinned and his grip on Laochas' shoulder for a second, then he took his hands away completely. He walked over to the man, called Deok, Laochas thought, and embraced him like a brother.
"I'm glad." Wolfrags said, his voice oozing with his traditional charm. "You'll find me more agreeable when you give me what I want."
The Lord clapped his hands and ordered the man another pair of clothes from 2 servants who appeared like magic. Neither of them seemed particularly unnerved by the scarred and bruised man, or the torture chamber they were in. Then again, why would they? They'd seen it more then a dozen times before.
Laochas' father clapped a hand on his shoulder and said, "While I speak with our, eh...esteemed guest, would you organize the riders?"
Laochas' eyes widened. "But... Father...." Laochas' mind was reeling. The Choosing of the Riders was the most meaningful ritual in Lord Wolfrags' power.
Wolfrags gripped his shoulder tightly, and looked him in the eye.
"You are ready."
Jeriah, his father's personnal assistant, gave him a roll of parchment with the Rider's Seal on it.
Laochas grasped it in trembling fingers and ran off, already deciding in his mind who to choose.
He arrived at his first choice, a friend of his called Crey, who was a skilled rider, but had yet to gain his honour.
He walked over and before Crey could say anything, Laochas recited;
"Do you, Rider of your Lord, Crey Hardgro, accept to part of Your Lord's Hunt?"
Crey's eyes widened and he froze on the spot. Then he turned to face Laochas and replied simply;
"I do."
Laochas simply nodded, fearing his voice would betray him and wrote Crey's name on the parchment.