The breaking point - part 20

It just wasn’t her day. Banna decided that tomorrow was going to be, but today really wasn’t.

        

         “What is it with people and tying hands?’ She growled, trying to stretch out her legs, which had fallen asleep when she was knocked out. Of course, this action was difficult to do when she was imprisoned not only in the dusty cell, but also tied to its bars.



         Banna’s hands looked bad. Not only were they covered with scabs and bruises; they had turned an unhealthy blue tinge. The young warlock tried to loosen the moldy rope around her wrists but they remained where they were.  She curled up, trying to be as quiet as possible. She couldn’t feel her hands. That was not good.

        

         Horror was replaced by rage when she heard a distant scrawling of a feather pen down the tower’s stairs.



         “KISA!” Banna shouted, her voice resounding along the stone walls, making her shout much louder then expected. The sound of wood breaking was her response, followed by



         “SHUT UP! For the love of Light BE QUIET!” Banna sat, dumbstruck. What happened to the sly, rogue-style paladin she had only moments ago encountered?



         Banna hated admitting that she was in quite a difficult situation. Where was Trinity when she needed her?



††††††



         “Where the hell are those mana potions when you need them?” The warlock still remained at the clearing, quarantined by the fire that surrounded her; all she could do was wait for it to die down. Her thoughts were subconsciously leaving her mouth as she paced desperately around the ruined camp.



         “Light-damned paladin! Stealing away Banna! Well, Banna should be all right, I mean she always has been. Oooh, curse that paladin! Who knows what’s going on? What if Banna is actually hurt? I mean, she’s never been in this kind of situation before. If she’s over her head and I can’t help her… OH DAMN THAT PALADIN!” Trinity screamed.



         Where the hell was Graz’gorg? He could breeze through these flames as if they were nothing. But she needed a potion to raise her mana to be able to control him. Which she didn’t have, or couldn’t find. The fire was starting to run out of fuel as the blackened trees turned to ash. Trinity was growing dramatically depressed by her lack of ability.



         “WHY isn’t there a lightdamned spell for putting out fires!? Oh, I can CAUSE them, but NO! I can’t put them out!” She slumped to the ground. Small tears welling into her eyes.

“At least Banna should be okay. She knows how to get herself out of trouble…” There was a small dinging noise, and a folded up piece of paper appeared on her lap. Unfolding it, she quickly read the note.



Trinity Blade–

I have your sister. I know you’re out of mana. Come to Torture Spire, we’re going to make a trade. No funny business, or I will kill her. I expect you before daybreak tomorrow.

~2nd Lieutenant Kisa Stormsong of the Stormwind Army



         The warlock ripped the notes into pieces, now unable to see due to the strange feeling of water spilling down her face. When was the last time she had cried? It was truly a hopeless situation for her.



         Naturally, (as Trinity would call it) her hopelessness melted into anger, and then into spite. She grabbed the nearest object next to her (which happened to be the discarded bucket previously holding ash) and, with a cry of frustration, hurled it into a different direction. It landed with a splash on the river, slowly bobbing down the stream. The next object victim to the warlock’s rage was Banna’s wand, making a small whipping noise as it spiraled into the waves of the river.



         After about a minute, Trinity’s next projectile was a small butcher knife. The object having vacuously been grabbed blade side upward, causing a large incision on the girl’s hand. It was only when it had landed in the water, had the Warlock noticed she was bleeding. In a light-headed trot, she crumpled to a sitting position at the edge of the riverbed, where she dipped her bleeding hand into the water. Of course, it still chose to bleed, and Trinity was growing very impatient.



         “What’s the use?” She cried. “That paladin has Ban… and… I can’t…” The girl’s vision began to fade.

††††††



(Kelk)

         The priest’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden crashing against the rocks on the bank of the river.



         “Look,” he voiced “A bucket.” For a moment, he continued studying the flames again, as if hoping to douse them with his mind, before he stole a second glance back at the shore. The bucket continued down the river, but soon another object followed. A wand. Kelk hesitantly reached out and scooped it up. He had seen it on Banna’s person on occasion, but it never really drawn his attention. He wondered why Banna would let her valued magical wood bit slide easily down the stream without perusing it.

        

         Kelk didn’t have long to wait before other bits and pieces of scattered objects came down the stream. Kelk fetched what he could without actually going into the water. The inability to swim caused many objects to continue on down the river. The confusing tide of the Warlock’s items simply confounded the priest, who no longer noticed as the flames died down. Suddenly the river took a different hue. What was once grey blue water seemed to mix with a different colour. Fear rose in the pit of Kelk’s stomach, as it tightened from the sight of blood. Risking throwing up, the priest rose and noisily ran along the riverbed, hoping to get to the other clearing in time to save his love.



         Kelk had not expected to find Trinity breathing heavily, one hand in the water. Even after he had accepted the matter, he was reluctant to enter the area for fear of another VoidWalker attack. About to relax and watch the powerful Warlock’s end, she spat in dismay the few words he needed to hear.

        

         “Damned Paladin…took Banna.”



         “What?” Even the gods would have trouble deciding who was more surprised. Kelk rushed into the clearing, fear and horror welling inside him, or Trinity, over half dead, with a strange man advancing at her.

                 

         “Get away from me.” Trinity could only mutter. What horror! The first time the two enemies finally meet, and Trinity is lying in a river bleeding to death. Kelk, however, had no time to think about their differences.



         “I’m going to heal you, and you’re going to tell me what’s going on.” Trinity didn’t know much about Priests, but there were a few things she understood.



         “No!” She hissed, but Kelk had already sent the spell after her. The light spread around Trinity’s hands, and a painful stabbing ran all along her arm. The sparkling light danced all around her five tattoos and caused them to burn red with heat. She cried out, and glared angrily at Kelk.



         For a moment, the priest didn’t know what had happened.



         “Oh.” Then it clicked. “…sorry.”



         “You BASTARD!” Trinity, healed in her hand wound, but now lacked ability to move her arm, gripped her Blood Razor with her other hand and hurled it at the boy. Kelk sighed, as the sword struck his shield, then careened off in a different direction. Trinity silently cursed her bad luck.



         “Trinity Blade, where has Banna gone?” The warlock snorted.



         “Tch, as if you don’t know.” Kelk closed his eyes half way.



         “Of course I know, and that’s exactly why I asked.” Trinity was caught off guard by the Priest’s boyish sarcasm. Weren’t Priests supposed to be old men with expensive robes and waving around incense? This was far from what Trinity had expected Kelk to be.



         “You’re little friend swept away with here.” She found herself saying. “Left a pretty ransom note.” Trinity indicated the tatters of paper on the ground. Kelk narrowed his eyes.



         “Well, then it should be easy to get her back.”



         “What do you mean?” Trinity hated when she didn’t understand things.


         “Kisa wants you, not her. What do you think she wants in exchange for your sister’s life?” Kelk couldn’t care less what happened to the warlock. As long as he could be assured Banna’s safety, anyone else could be put to harm. It was easy to decipher what was happening, regarding the past events. So, all Kelk had to do was use what he knew and pray that it would be enough.
(Trinity)



         “I’m still trying to figure things out.”



         “And how long will that take?” He demanded, his voice growing louder. Trinity was getting a headache due to her lack of mana that she now found she depended on. Her father had warned her not to depend it. With that crushing her thoughts, and the angry priests voice sounding out options, she closed her eyes and silently set out toward torture spire.



††††††††



         After the note had been sent, the paladin trekked up the stairs for the umpteenth time. For now, however, the girl rested herself against the wall, her eyes looking over her captive. Banna knew better than to tell her it was uncomfortable.



         It was spite that kept Kisa looking over the girl. What did this gangly freak show have that she didn’t? Was it her age? The girl had to be seven years younger than her, if not more. Of course, she reasoned, Kelk was a good three years younger than her too. She certainly wasn’t any better looking, Kisa could see a strange disfiguring scar running across her forehead. Such a strange wound, the deceitful paladin only wished she could have been the one to have caused it. Could if have been personality? In a warlock? Kisa snorted, it finally coming to her! How obvious it was!



         “What’s so funny?” Banna asked coldly, noticing the smile on Kisa’s face.

        

          Kisa, going against what she knew she should do, laughed out loud. This caused the young warlock to darken at the paladin holding her hostage.



         “You’ve only recently known of Kelk’s…true alignments?” Banna scowled



         “Yeah, what of it?” This caused Kisa to bubble into a fit of giggles. Banna wiggled against her hold, grinding her teeth in annoyance.



         “Oh, I’m sorry.” Kisa lied. “It’s just that…just that…” More laughter. After a few minutes, it subsided. “A warlock and a priest?” Kisa wiped her eyes of tears. “Only a fool would believe anything could come from it.”



         Banna’s stomach left her. A second later, she squeezed the thought from her ears. Don’t believe her. Don’t believe her. Don’t believe her…



         “Oh wait,” Kisa eyed Banna’s obvious discomfort. “You actually thought he loved you, didn’t you?”



          The words pried away at her head. Pressing and pushing apart her memories. ”That’s not true. Kelk-“



         “-is a head priest for the Order of the Light, sent to capture and kill any warlocks opposing his Order.” Kisa casually let the words slide out of her mouth, enjoying the venom taste as they passed her tongue. “How silly of you to fall into his little game.”



         “No.” Banna shook her head. She couldn’t believe it, she wouldn’t! But, why did it make so much sense? The words played around her head.



         “Silly little girl caught up in something bigger than her?” Kisa mocked in a high-pitched voice. Then turning to a dull tone, she continued to verbally abuse the girl. “I’m surprised he took the time to bother with YOU. What? Think, a PRIEST in the exact same area two hiding warlocks are could be something random? If he really had any interest in you, shouldn’t he have told you who he was sooner?” Kisa smiled, “Heh, a priest and a warlock! What will they think of next?”



          The paladin had her victory as a tear silently fell down the captured warlock’s face.
(Kelk)



         Kelk could only hope that the warlock wouldn’t come to her senses and deduce another way to get her sister back. He only hoped that Banna was still alive at the mercy of his heartless fiancé.



††††††††



         Kisa heard her coming. She didn’t know how, but she could hear the sluggish foot steps, even though lightening now streeked the sky every few seconds. For a moment, she gazed in content as another burst of thunder matched the force, as it lightened up the sky, only to return a moment later to utter blackness. She placed her carefully on her head. Casting a shield on herself, she grabbed for her keys.



(Banna)



         “What are we doing?” Was the choaked question of Banna Blade, as she was dragged out of her cage. Clasping one of her arms, to hoist the girl up, Kisa threateningly pressing her reserve dagger into my back, then we made our way down the stairs.



†††††††



      Trinity looked like something out of a nightmare. The rain pelted down on her. Her robe was soaked and muddy. She staggered as she walked forward, her eyes no longer conceiled by her mask. The expression on her face was what scared Banna the most, the face that filled her with dread. Trinity’s eyes were full of fear as well.



            Banna felt herself pushed forward. She tripped and landed in the muddy ground. Snapping instantly to her feet, she could only watch as the rope only a moment ago around her arms, tie up her sisters. Lightning filled the sky and Banna saw now, more clearly than ever, Trinity’s face was wet, not with rain, but with tears. The sound of Kisa’s blow was not hidden by the crack the thunder made. Banna watched in horror as her sister fell to the ground unconsious.


         “No, Trin!” She screamed, jumping from her spot after the paladin. Kisa smirked, and with a single word, a bright light shone in a circle around her. The light was blinding, and painful. The agony of Kelk’s long lost bracelet was paled in comparison to this magic. In mid-jump she was forced to the ground, screaming and weeping, not only for herself, but for her sister as well.