[color=gold]Rolled up against the cold wall, Tobias, for once in his life, slept soundly. He found himself in a nameless ocean floating on his back and watching the wind play with the clouds. The sun's uncertain light settled a warmth over him as if tucking him in the covers of heaven. The lapping sea itself caressed his beaten body like a lover exploring every bruise and scar, kissing each one and curing the poison deep within his bones. Smiling, he watched as the faces of his family took form in the wisp, slowly playing out a scene from when Tobias was young. Yet as quickly as they came, they melted apart and took on the shape of Ameila's, face. At first uncertain, her expression smiled even though something veiled itself behind her eyes. 

A kick to the back drove his dreams into the abyss, taking him from its light into the darkness of his cell. 

“Wake up, prisoner!” A ratty voice commanded. Acting too slow, his assailant grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him into the wall. The man held him there until he was satisfied Tobias could stand and stepped away. 

Piercing the silence, a woman's chuckle sent a chill down his spine, making him look up to see the curvaceous outlines of her body in the sparsely lit moonlight. He could not see her face, but knew no woman outside of royalty would be standing in dungeon. And though he had grown accustomed to the castle's spirit, he felt himself shake at the darkness behind her. It felt solid and yet was not. 
“Mmm, I'm delighted to finally meet a Nazarite priest...in the flesh.” She walked up to Tobias and ran a finger down his chest. “Especially one as young as you. From what I've been told, mostly older gents make up your ranks.” Her face was covered in a black veil, though her pouty red lips shone through. The tip of a sword rose to his neck as she came close enough for him to delve into her burning auburn eyes. “Suppose it explains such inexperience. To be caught with no way of proving your innocence...tsk tsk.” Tobias steeled himself against her spell as the darkness behind her reached to kindle his desires. 
“What is it you want?” He asked. 
“What does any woman want when standing next to a chained [i]untamed[/i] colt?” A flash of light flickered across her gaze as her lips grew closer, making Tobias turn his head. She snatched his chin to turn his head back, the scent of perfume and something else drawing into his nostrils. Closing his eyes, he steeled himself with memories of the past and his faith in Christ, yet he felt a sudden aggression rise inside him. Somehow sensing it, the other man dabbed his sword into Tobias's neck drawing blood. The woman let out a moan at the sight of it, slipping a hand down his breeches and leaning in to whisper in his ear. “If you relinquish the contract between those brands and your soul, I'll set you free...in more ways than one.” 

The mere fact she knew of the contract shocked him, and he pulled the chain of his right arm up fast enough to slap the blade away. At the same time, he pulled her hand out, grabbed her throat, and positioned her as a shield between he and the other man.

“Drop your sword and give me the keys, or I crush her throat!” The sword quickly clattered to the ground, and the sound of jangling keys fell somewhere near his feet. As he tried to kneel down to get them, the woman grabbed and applied pressure to his left arm, making it release her and both of them started to scuffle. Her technique and unnatural strength was twice that of a veteran, and he ended up flipped over in tangled chains. Once she caught her breath, she let out another soft laugh.

“Tails I win, Heads you lose, my dear colt. I guess we'll have to get those brands the traditional way.” She smiled before letting out a shriek, and the rumblings of what could be a cavalry almost broke the gate down. Both knights and guards spewed forth to beckon the damsel's call, and soon the place was lit with a dozen torches. One knight came to the woman and knelt.

“Queen Lucía, what happened? Why were there no guards at the gate?” Tobias gaped at the women as he was encircled by several guards, watching as the Queen skillfully tugged at their heartstrings. With tears, sobs, and whimpers, Lucía told them she had come to ask why Tobias had done what he did, as she was the Godmother of Roger's child. And that Tobias used sorcery to disarm her guard, then forced himself onto her, though the collar around his neck weakened him enough so that she could escape. They devoured every word, so much so he was beaten nearly unconscious. Even King Geoffri after hearing of this came down to question Tobias, but could not get an answer. 

“Stranger, if you are not willing to give us your defense, then I have no other choice than to obey the law. You will be burned at the stake tomorrow at midday. Yet I am a fair man. Give to me an explanation for these accusations, and I will postpone it for a trial.” The King knelt down at Tobias's bruised body and gave him an empathetic look. “Please, young man. Give me a reason not to kill you.” 

The Nazarite Order was a secret sect within the Church. Only the pope and a few colleagues knew of its existence. As such, they were all alone. Tobias laid his head down as tears strayed down his face. The King simply shook his head and walked away. One by one, the room emptied until all but the guards left. A sense of hopeless overwhelmed him and echoes of whispered laughter sung from the darkness. He embraced oblivion.

[color=white]“Wake up!”[/color] A familiar voice rang out in the void as Tobias opened his eyes. Ameila stood at his cage, utterly distressed.  He sat up, grunting in pain. [color=white]“Since you’ve been in our camp, strange things have been happening to me. If you have magical abilities like they say you do, tell me what this is.”[/color] His brow furrowed as she revealed the three claw marks on her back, and then the hand prints around her neck. He knew what they were, but something was not right. [color=white]“Tell me what is happening...why are you doing this?”[/color] 

After a moment, he sighed deeply and decided there was no point in keeping his secrets. 

“The Enemy has awakened. I, Tobias Hawkings, Knight of the Nazarite Order, have been commanded to find the base by which they will send the first wave.” He stood and held out his right palm with the branded cross, then lifted his shirt to reveal three more brands in a pattern around his navel. “It led me near here, where I was ambushed by one the enemies' Princes. And, of course, by Enemy, I mean Hell.” 

At the mere mention of the word, the spirit of the castle quivered like a quake to come. 

“However, I have a question for you.” He walked as far as his chains would let him. “Why are you alive? Demons, like the one that took Roger, don't let their prey live...ever.”

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