The Body

Writers: AL, Miriah
Date Posted: 2nd August 2014

Characters: Karhal, Zathris
Description: Karhal presents a body to Zathris.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 25 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Benani

Karhal

Zathris

Dragging the body back, Karhal's face was a mask of cool determination.
Instead of entering through the main gates, Karhal entered from the
back, not wanting children and women to see, nor smell his delivery to
his Lord. When a stable hand approached to take the runner, the young
boy grimaced at the bloody tarp behind him and immediately covered his
mouth from shock. "Go fetch Lord Zathris, Camelon. Tell him that I have
his prize." The young boy, a sickly green from the sight of the
congealed blood on the tarp, darted away. Karhal dismounted, ignoring
the questioning looks from the other folk beginning to gather. "Back to
work, all of you and be silent until Lord Zathris says otherwise." They
stepped away, but looked over their shoulder. The Captain gave no
explanations; word would spread soon enough.

When the news that Karhal had returned and he wasn't empty handed
arrived, Zathris immediately dropped what he was doing. He strode out
of the Hold and straight to the stables. He met the smell before he met
his guard and he winced in response, but such stench would not deter
him. He paused only when he drew alongside Karhal, though his eyes
stole to the blood-marred tarp and a frown marred his features. "Is
that...?"

"What's left of him." Karhal's voice was hard, but not directed at
Zathris. "We found evidence that he was being tracked by a large feline.
His runner was mauled and left to rot near some cotholds. We tracked
further and found this..." He kicked the tarp, " in a cave, torn to
bits. In his harper clothes, hair matches and completely torn to pieces.
Looks like part of him was eaten."

"He deserved worse." Zathris' voice rasped with scorn. "It was too
quick of a death for him." He wanted to spit on the remains, but what
good would it do? Both men had been denied the satisfaction of their
revenge. "I guess at least we know he'll never hurt anyone again." If
only they'd caught on to him before he'd touched Benani.

Karhal completely agreed. What he had done to the Lady and his own
family deserved a long and painful death. For an honorable man like
himself, the notion of slowly killing a man went against everything he'd
ever been taught, but this thing...as far as he was concerned, he wasn't
a man. He was nothing less than a monster. "Perhaps it will give the
Lady some comfort knowing he can never hurt her again." He looked at
Zathris, his jaw tight. "What do you want done with it?"

"Burn it. Leave it out for Thread. I don't care. Just...get rid of
it. Quickly and without a fuss." There was no point in a ceremony, the
man deserved less than that. For all he cared, Zathris would just toss
the body out with the garbage.

"I'll take it out with a few of my men and burn it." Karhal inclined his
head and lifted a hand to wave two guards over. He spoke to them quickly
and with determination on their faces, they untied the runners burden
and dragged the body out of sight. "My Lord..." he turned to Zathris.
"The cave where the Lady was found still has items with in it. Perhaps a
torch to it as well?" He lowered his voice. "Perhaps the Lady would care
to torch it herself?"

Zathris' mouth ticked to the side. "I don't know. I would speak to her
mindhealers before we bring that as a possibility." While it could be
cathartic, it could also worsen her condition. That was the last thing
Zathris wanted. "If the healers think it will be beneficial and she
wishes it, then I will not deny her."

"Then I'll leave it until you decide what's to be done about it." Karhal
inclined his head and then spoke softly, for Zathris' ears alone. "Do
you think this will help her?"

"I hope so." Zathris had to force himself not to grind his teeth. He'd
been denied his revenge, but at least now the man was gone forever and
could no longer threaten his wife. "I really hope so."

Last updated on the August 12th 2014

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The Body