Chapter 5

About a week had passed and Caleb hadn’t paid Emma a visit. He was giving her time to think before he came back. He had, however, ordered her deprived of anything but a little water each day and some stale bread. He was going to break her spirit. She would tell him what he wanted to know in the end.

            In that time Caleb had moved the camp further south of the city. He wanted as much distance between his men and the camp as possible. It wasn’t unheard of for the military to march out past the walls. It also wouldn’t be unheard of for the military to destroy Caleb and his men. They would be a threat, and Caleb wanted to keep his plans secret from the kingdom.

            Emma was miserable. She was constantly thirsty and always hungry, but she refused to give in and give him any information about the palace. She had meant what she told Emir. She would rather die than give Caleb information that could lead to the death of thousands. She may not want to rule Pasiva, but that didn’t mean she didn’t care about her people.

            Caleb came into the tent, sending Emir out. Emir walked out of the tent, but stayed within ear shot. Caleb walked over to Emma who looked up at him with defiance in her eyes. He looked at her, with disgust written all over his face.

            “Are you going to talk?” he asked.

            “Sure, but it won’t be anything you want to hear.” She said. Her sarcastic comment was met with a slap across the face.

            “Now, I’m going to ask you again, will you talk?”

            “Didn’t I just answer that question?” she asked, sounding rather bored. He growled and slapped her again. She sighed, “That’s getting really old.”

            “Fine,” he said, “If you won’t talk then I have no choice but to kill you.”

            “Go ahead.” She said, looking right into his eyes. He narrowed his eyes at her.

            “Emir!” he called, stepping back, arms crossed.

            “Yes sir?” He asked, walking in.

            “Bring me my sword.” He said.

            “Sir…is that necessary?”

            “Are you questioning me?”

            “I…no sir.” He said, leaving the tent. He walked to the captain’s tent and went inside. He saw his sword and grabbed it, feeling guilty. He didn’t know why…it wasn’t like he had feelings for the girl…he just didn’t think killing her was the right course of action. He walked back to the prisoner’s tent where Caleb was waiting.

            Caleb turned and took his sword. “Stand guard outside the tent.” He ordered, “I don’t want to be interrupted while I deal with this pest.”

            “Yes sir…” he said, going outside of the tent and standing. He looked over his shoulder into the tent and sighed, watching.

            Caleb unsheathed the sword and walked over to Emma. He held the sword to her throat. “Now, are you sure you don’t want to talk?” In response she spit in his face. He growled, “I take it that would be a no…”

            “Aren’t you a genius…” she said, rolling her eyes. He narrowed his eyes and made a shallow cut on her neck.

            “I am going to make sure your death is slow and painful…I will make you regret your decision. You’ll be begging me to stop before I’m done.”

            “If it’s as incredibly dull as your speeches, you’re right.” She said. His face twitched in anger, he snarled, removing the sword from her neck. He held it over her heart, and went to strike.

            Emir couldn’t tolerate it anymore; he walked in and hit the captain over the head with the hilt of his own sword, rendering him unconscious. He looked at Emma and sighed, he untied her bindings and said, “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

            “Why are helping me?” She asked, limping along behind him as he led her out of the tent.

            He looked at her, “Honestly, I have no idea…” he said. He looked ahead, “getting you out of here isn’t going to be an easy task.”

            “I’ll be fine on my own.” She said. That comment made him laugh.

            “You will huh? If I remember you were on your own one day before we caught you.” He said, turning to look at her. She narrowed her eyes a bit.  “Oh calm down,” he said, “I’m going with you this time.”

            “I don’t think so!” she exclaimed, protesting.

            “Quiet!” He snapped, “Do you want to get caught before we get out of here? If you think I’m staying after hitting the captain and freeing you, you’re out of your pretty little mind.” She groaned a bit in response.

            “Fine, but how are we getting past the others?” She asked from her hiding place.

            “I have absolutely no clue.” He admitted. “I supposed we could pretend you were dead, I could be carrying your corpse out of camp.”

            “That is actually brilliant.” she said, “And it might just work…”

            He grinned a bit, “aww, you think I’m brilliant!” he teased.

            She rolled her eyes at him. “The idea is brilliant; I’m actually quite shocked it came from you.” She retorted. “Now, let’s get out of here.”

            “Hold your horses.” He said, “I need some basic supplies before we head out.”

            “We don’t have time.” She said, “We have no idea how long Caleb will be out.”

            “It won’t take me long.” He said, “Just wait here, I’ll be right back!” He took off before she could argue with him. She sighed and waited, staying out of sight. About ten minutes later he came back with a pack. “Alright princess, ready to play dead?”

            “Not really.” She said as he hoisted her over his shoulder. She made herself go limp and she closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. He started walking through the camp, and was grateful when there was no sign of Caleb. He continued walking when Benett stopped him.

            “He killed her?” he asked, frowning slightly.

            “Yeah, she should have told him what he wanted.” Emir said. “I’m going to dispose of the body and go on a hunting trip, I should be back tomorrow. Take my post in the guard tonight.”

            “Alright.” Benett said, “Good luck, we could use some fresh meat in camp. It has a better taste than the scavenged meat we have at the moment.

            “I’ll do my best Benett.” Emir said. “Now, I’m going to get going, she weighs more than you’d think.” He said with a slight grin on his face. Benett nodded and moved out of the way. Emir walked on out of camp. 

Reviews

[NoelHC]

I will just cover the little errors
but a little water a day and some stale Maybe but a little water EACH day and some stale

His face twitched in ager, His face twitched in aNger,

Emir couldn’t watch anymore,
Emir was outside the tent and not watching Maybe Emir couldn’t tolerate anymore,

He looked at her, “honestly should be "Honestly

“I don’t think so!” She exclaimed, protesting. should be “I don’t think so!” she exclaimed, protesting.

carrying you’re corpse out of camp.” should be carrying your corpse out of camp.”

“That is actually brilliant.” She said, “ should be “That is actually brilliant.” she said, “

“Hold you’re horses.” He said, the old your/yoou're thing again ; )

“He killed her?” He asked, should be “He killed her?” he asked,

[KMC]

Thanks! Those your/you're seems to be my weaknesses!

[NoelHC]

I ain't going to lie, the whole misuse of your/you're, there/they're/their and to/two/too drives me INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
: )

[KMC]

:) It generally does me too! I normally don't misuse them, but what can I say, graduation pending has addled my brains!

[NoelHC]

Well, KMC, as you can see I can think of very little that I would change in your story, you have done great work here, and when it is cleaned up a little may well be worth looking at publishing. Maybe an e-book. marketed to young adults possibly.

[KMC]

Thank you very much!

[jjwilbourne]

Great work.
I noticed that you're not working in a tight 3rd person limited. Its looking like you intend 3rd person unlimited. If this isn't the case, then I recommend that you go back and edit for POV hoping. If it is the case then it may be easier for you to fix my next critique.
I guessed before I got to this part that Emir would end up helping Emma but I think you can do more to make it feel more natural. Emir seems like Caleb's right hand man. Why would he suddenly jump ship if they've been doing this for awhile now? I think you can remedy this in a few different ways without changing you story much but at this point I'm hoping that you explain it away in the next part... So this could be irrelevant.
I loved the tention when Caleb was about to cut her throat. It made me nervous and fearful! Haha.
Good work and I shall read on.

[NoelHC]

OK, that straightens up the time and distance issue I mentioned in the review of Chapter 13. Well handled KMC.

[KMC]

Thank you!