hathor_girl

~ is internal speech

bold is symbiote speaking in symbiote voice

Warning: torture

"Hah! Your demon is weakening! It has not regrown your nails! It only had strength for the other injuries! Good! We are winning here! Soon your soul is safe!" The Inquisitor says, though he still looks worried. He touches his crucifix. "May the lord protect us all from your demonic power!"

"As I have told you many times, I'm not a demon!" Martouf sighs tiredly. He has again been shackled to a rack, so the inquisitor can torture him.

The inquisitor sighs. "You still deny it? Well, well, the demon is certainly powerful and persistent! I have new plans for today, though. A few hours of water torture will convince even the staunchest of devils! First, however, I will tenderize your meat a little!" He laughs cruelly, and grabs the heavy whip.

~Not again!~ Lantash complains.

Martouf groaned as the whip lashed against his back.

~What do you think will happen now?~ Martouf asks, worriedly. He is almost too weak to move, but he raises his head and looks at it a cage.

~I don't know, but I am sure we will not like it.~ Lantash answers, tiredly.

They can barely move, and are lifted and are put in the cage, and it is shut. Then they are transported on a carriage to a lake. Lots of locals are assembled, and there is a crane-like structure on the beach. The cage is attached to a line that is attached to the crane, and then it is lowered into the water.

Just before Martouf/Lantash's head goes under, the Inquisitor speaks. "Now we will see what the demon says to this! It is always a sure way of making even the strongest demon confess to his sins, and to leave the unfortunate soul it has possessed!"

They are lowered under the water surface. Martouf gulps air just before.

~Help!~

~Relax. The best we can do is use as little energy as possible. I will lower our metabolism, so we can make the oxygen last as long as possible.~

Martouf forced himself to relax, with the help of Lantash. ~You can survive this. They will never stop torturing us. Never! There are few places on our body that does not hurt - too much for you to heal, especially after this many rounds...~

~If you are suggesting I leave you, then you are insane! I will never leave my host willingly. Never! I may be an aquatic creature, but I would much rather drown with my host, than flee him! You will never even think of this again!~

~Never. I love you.~

~And I love you, Martouf.~

They hugged each other, and endured.

Sam POV

The inquisitor - who has taken an unfortunate liking to me after yesterday - has insisted my dad and I go to see his handiwork, when he is doing some kind of water torture on Martouf.

I suspect I know what it is - I remember reading something about it. It is a common way of torturing witches, and getting them to confess - or it was, during the inquisition. It's called 'dunking', I believe.

The victim is tied to a chair, or in a cage, or something, which is then lowered or elevated by the one torturing the person. If the victim is about to pass out, he elevates him. If the victim is still unwilling to confess, they are again lowered. This can be kept up for many many hours. Until the victim confesses or dies.

I do not believe I will be able to stand watching that. I am sure I will not be able to handle it.

Suddenly, I get an idea. "Dad - when are we supposed to be there? At the... torture scene."

"In a couple hours, I think." Jacob frowns. "Maybe a little more. Just after noon, I think he said. Listen, I'm sorry, Sammy, I haven't been able to come up with a way of freeing Martouf, and in front of all those people who will probably be there..."

"Actually, that is the perfect place! I have a plan... I just need to get hold of some stuff, that I hope I can find..."

It was not as easy as I had hoped, but I found all the ingredients I needed to make a primitive bomb - or rather four bombs. I also made some very long fuses, which if all goes well, should burn slowly for about an hour, making it unlikely for anyone that we are involved.

When the bombs go off, people will - I hope - scatter in fear. Dad and I will safe Martouf, and get him to a safe place until we can escape through the gate.

That is my plan, at least.

I have hidden the four bombs. I only just had time to do so, and then return and change to suitable clothes.

I am only just ready when it knocks on our door. Outside stands the disgusting inquisitor, Nittik. He looks at me with a pleased - and hungry expression. Just having him look at me makes my skin crawl.

"Greetings, honourable Lord Jacsel, and most beautiful lady Samira." He smiles at us, baring his brown teeth. "I am coming to take you to the interrogation of the warlock - I have a feeling he will soon confess, and then you can witness my triumph!"

"That is... most thoughtful of you, Master Nittik. Thank you." Dad manages.

"Hello, Nittik..." I smile ingratiatingly at Nittik, hoping to make him think I like him. Not that it matters - I don't think it is of much consequence if women like their husbands on this world.

He takes my hand, and we leave for the horse carriage that is waiting for us.