Chapter 2, page 3: Nothing more hollow.

The old man rips the meat he was given, never before has he been this hungry and he cares little for manners.

"Ah, you are hungry.. Good good, eat and be strong." the voice has been his only comfort in the darkness he has found himself inveloped in.

"Aye.. 'tis good meat.." the old spits out between the meals.

"Ah, yes.. Our slave girl certainly carries some.. Skill in the art of making food." the voice answers, with some reluctance.

"What.. What is her name?" the old man continues to eat the meat and bread.

"Joan.. Atleast, thats what the slave owner told us." the voice answers, as if trying to make a statement of ownership.

The old man tries to pin the man with his hearing whilst still eating the meat like a wild savage.

"What do you mean with us? Is there someone else here?" the old man, finished with his food wiping his hands on his shirt.

"Yes.. My daughter." the voice tells him, "Those runes you have on your body.. I would.. I would like to take a closer look on them, if its ok?" the voice asks, with a deep sense of curiosity.

The old man ponders the question for a while, but with the hospitality he has received so far, what harm could be done since he was no longer a novice in his own heritage..

"Aye, what do you need of me?" he asks, with a polite smile on his face.

The voice doesnt answer, but is followed by steps coming down and a prison door opening. "Well, I'll leave you two alone then." the voice chuckles abit and the old man can hear a new heartbeatcoming closer.

"Soo.. Your the man we saved? Hm.. You look quite good in shackles" a young woman teases the old man in a playfull way. "How much of your body carries those runes?" she asks shortly after taking out pen and paper.

"My whole body." the old man answers coldly, trying to deny the raw attraction that pulsates beneath his clothes.

"Oh? Make me a happy girl and strip then." the voice continues her playful way.

The old man does as told and removes his clothes until he wears nothing, he can feel her fingertips slowly moving with motion towards every rune he carries. The soft fingers feeds his attraction until breaking point.

He can hear her heartbeat going faster and without making a sound, she kisses him gently. The only thing that goes through his mind is "If only this was forever.." and as the night passes in the cell, he sleeps with his arms wrapped around her and a memory flashes by.

The night comes encroaching, it never makes a sound when it puts an end to the sun for a few hours. The Crimson Tower stands tall, near the border of Lordaeron. The two soldiers in the tower have no idea of the terror that is sneaking upon them.

"Oi, John.. Have you ever felt like you were the happiest man ever? Apart from the times in Stratholme, with your hordes of females?" Greldins voice cuts clear in the cold darkness that is only held off by a few flickering torches.

"Hm.. Aye, when I beat you at chess." John chuckles heartily while looking out the window, keeping a lookout for enemies as he always has.

"Hah, aye.. Chess really isn-" Greldins sentence is cut short by a boulder that cuts off the roof of the tower. A nearby orc catapult fired off the first shot and as they realise theyve missed, they reload.

"What the hell?! Greldin? You alright?! We gotta get out, it isnt safe in here!" John shouts, taking cover behind what rubble he can.

"John.." Greldin speaks out, walking across the room and grabbing the younger man and forces him down the stairs "Not exactly what you would expect eh?" he speaks while still running down the stairs.

As the two soldiers move out of the tower, it crumbles as the second boulder hits right on. "John! Watch out!" Greldin pushes John out of the way from the following rubble that crashes down on them and gets hits by stones and wood.

The orcs move in for the kill, two of them, armed with heavy swords.

"Greldin!? Where are you?!" John shouts as he throws away stone after stone, recklessly exposing his back to the enemy.

The orcs heavy breathing comes closer and as they are about to kill the soldier, the first one gets two arrows buried deep in his chest. The dying sound of the orc, makes John pick up his sword.

"Wha.. What the hell are you?" he spits out, numb from anger and sorrow.  

The orcs first attack is parried, John shakes from the heavy blow. The second blow cuts a shallow wound in Johns shoulder, which makes him drop his sword and kneel before the mighty beast.

The orc grins and just as the final blow is about to come, he is impaled by a long spear from behind.

John doesnt stop to look at his saviour, he only turns around and continues to throw away stone after stone until he can see Greldins torso.

Greldin coughs, both he and John knows he is dying. "Damn it Kid.. We had a good run, didnt we? J.. Just do me a favour, t.. Take care of Joan for me.." his last words shake Johns mind and all he can do is wipe his tears as soldiers drag him away from his fellow soldier..

The old man wakes up from his dream, his arms are empty, the woman have already left.. He feels his shoulder and softly whispers "Joan.." into the night air as the cold darkness envelop him..