Tormented Dreams

By Bekka Mouri

Peryite thrashed in his bed, sweat pouring from his body. His sleep was tormented by the repeating image of Mehrunes slowly killing Malacath. His hatred for Malacath had been apparent from the day the figurehead of the Dagon clan hired the motley group of hunters. If it weren’t Mehrunes lack of funds, he would have never hired them.

Malacath had never liked Mehrunes either but the hunters had needed the money in the worst possible way. Their stomachs had been empty for countless days and they were living on the street when Mehrunes found them. Against his better judgment, Malacath accepted the job. He had heard rumors of how Mehrunes was a cruel and sick man but he would accept work from anyone as long as it saved him, his brother and their friends from starving to death.

Peryite’s eyes flew open in an attempt to stop the images. He panted heavily as he sat up, placing a hand on his forehead. He needed fresh air, not the musty air that filled the barracks. He wanted to go outside and look at the stars like he and Malacath did when he was a child.

Malacath had been fourteen years older than Peryite but they were close to one another. When Peryite was seven, their parents died, leaving Malacath to care for the child. They had gotten along rather well on their own although money was tight. They had traveled from town to town, doing odd jobs for a warm place to sleep at night.

They had collected Molag, Clavicus and Hircine along the way, something he could not remember very clearly because it seemed that they had always been there. Peryite racked his brain, trying to remember when exactly the five of them had fallen into the bounty hunting business. He remembered watching Malacath and the others make their first kill shortly after he had turned thirteen then watching a man pay them for it. He recalled the large amount of money and how they had spent it on food and drink.

Peryite swung his legs out of the bed and stood up. He opened up his wardrobe and found his guard uniform. If he were going to wander, he had best do it in that and not his normal clothes. Once he had it on, he slipped out the door.

He did not want to stay here but he had nowhere to go. He had no one to help him. He remembered seeing a garden as he patrolled the grounds and decided that would be the best place to go. If he had anything, it was the stars.

**

Mehrunes lay in his cousin’s bed; his eyes wide open as he stared up at the ceiling. Every time he tried to fall asleep, he could see her face. He didn’t know how much longer he could stand not having her next to him. He was tempted just to track her down right now and leave.

He could sense the hunters no longer trusted him. He didn’t much care though. He would be rid of them once he found the girl. He had not planned on paying money them at all. The payment they would receive would be from his blade.

Malacath had tasted the wrath of Mehrunes’ Razor and so would the others whether they gave him a good reason or not. He was even planning on killing Hircine but luck would have to be on his side to try it. Mehrunes did not fear much but Hircine was certainly on that short list. He would have to be the first one to go when Mehrunes decided to kill another one of the hunters.

He smiled as he thought of another plan. He could just find the girl on his own and leave the others behind to face Lotor’s fury. He decided that plan would never work. If any of them survived, they would surely seek revenge. He couldn’t run that risk.

He sighed, closing his eyes. Her face was there again. He imagined what her soft peach colored flesh would feel like pressed against his bluish white body. He drifted off to sleep as he imagined everything he could do to her.

**

Hircine watched as Clavicus slept. He could not believe how carefree he was under the circumstances. If Mehrunes didn’t hesitate to kill Malacath, who was to say he would think twice before running any of them through with his sword. Hircine could sense the danger.

Hircine had always had a strange feeling about Mehrunes since the day they met. Something just did not seem right but none of them could refuse the huge amount of money they were being offered. They had not had a warm bed in longer than they could remember and what little food they got was table scraps they had begged for. If they had not been so desperate for the money, they would have never accepted Mehrunes’ offer.

Hircine sighed, hoping Mehrunes would have enough sense not to try anything with him. He could destroy Mehrunes with a wave of his hand if he so wished but then he would still be poor. He could feel the inner conflict ripping him apart inside. He shook his head, wondering how this all would really end.

~All of my talents and I can’t even see into the future,~ He thought, lying down to stare at the ceiling.

**

Sudan roamed the harem halls, checking for intruders and unwelcome nighttime visitors. All of the women had retired to their chambers with their choices for the night and the faint sounds of physical gratification could still be heard. The only rooms that were quiet were the ones of the pledges. They had an exhausting day and all they wanted to do was sleep.

He walked past one of the windows and stopped. From the corner of his eye he saw movement along the garden wall. He stood up on his forelegs and scanned the darkness with his emerald eyes. Moonlight caught upon a mane of long white hair that belonged to one of the guards Michelle had invited back for a drink.

~What is he doing out there?~ Sudan thought, looking for his secret passage that led outside for when he needed to go out. He found it and quickly made his way to the hidden exit behind some bushes. Before emerging, he scanned for the guard again. He found him and slunk quietly through the shadows until he was ten feet from him.

He sniffed the air and looked surprised. The guard smelled… different. Sudan did not sense the danger about him that he had sensed earlier. If Sudan could have slapped his forehead, he would have.

The other guard’s foreboding odor had been so strong; Sudan associated danger with the both of them. On his own, this guard smelled the way a scared child would. Sudan got a bit closer and stopped at the sound of someone crying. He realized it was the guard.

~Why is he crying?~ Sudan moved even closer to make sure his ears weren’t fooling him. He stopped a few feet away, totally unnoticed. The guard fell to the ground in a sitting position and began to sob loudly.

**

Peryite sat down on the ground under a tree, no longer able to see because of the tears that filled his eyes. He let out a great sob and the tears he had been holding in poured down his cheeks. He wiped the tears away but it didn’t help, new ones would just take their place.

The sound of a twig breaking made him look around. ~I’m not alone?~ He hoped that it was not one of his companions. He jumped as moonlight caught in emerald eyes the same color as the woman called Michelle. He froze in fear as her beast came into full view under the silver rays that lit the garden.

“ S-S-Sudan? “ He stammered, his fear not letting him get up. He had recalled how the liger had reacted to him earlier that day and knew he was going to hurt him. He put his hand out to him, “ Nice kitty… Nice kitty! “

Sudan sat down on his haunches and looked at the frightened Drule. He stared at him for a moment before lying down. It was like he was trying to apologize for being so mean to him. He then rolled over, a universal sign of submission.

“ Y-y-you changed your mind about me? “ Peryite reached his hand out in triple slow motion to scratch the liger’s chest. He did it slowly at first, afraid the liger would turn on him at any second. When he began to purr, he scratched a little more. He cracked a small smile, “ You’re a good creature. “

Sudan flicked his tail in approval. He scooted along the ground so he was closer and licked Peryite’s chin. This action made something break inside of Peryite. His tears started again and he pressed his cheek into the liger’s head, “ I hope you don’t mind if I tell you something, Sudan. “

Sudan pulled away and looked into Peryite’s eyes. It was like he was telling him to go ahead and spill. Peryite could not remember the last time he saw such a caring look in anyone’s eyes. That look had long faded from Malacath’s eyes; long before they had become bounty hunters.

Peryite took a deep breath and told Sudan the whole story about why he was in the palace. He told him how much he did not want to be there and how much he wished he had a home to go back to. When he was finished, he scratched Sudan behind the ear, “ I know you won’t tell anyone, will you? “

Sudan looked up at him, his eyes saying that he wouldn’t. However, the liger was working out a plan in his mind to save the young man. He also was hoping that Michelle would be willing to help. He could sense the Drule was a good kid that had been thrown into a hard life and he thought he deserved more.

Sudan stood up and motioned to Peryite to follow him. “ What? “ Peryite looked at him, puzzled. Sudan grabbed the sleeve of his uniform and tugged. “ You want me to follow you? “

Sudan nodded. Peryite stood up and followed the liger to some bushes. The animal motioned to an opening and proceeded through it. Peryite tagged along, finding a hidden tunnel that led into the palace. It was so dark, he could barely see.

“ Sudan? “ He whispered, “ I can’t see. “

A huge thick tail brushed against Peryite’s cheek and he grabbed for it. He held it gently as Sudan let him through the tunnel until the reached another opening. Peryite crawled out of it and found himself in a hallway. He stood up slowly and looked around. Sudan motioned for him to continue following him.

**

Michelle woke up to the sound of Sudan’s voice in her head as well as his scratching at the door. Her partner of choice that night had been a good book and it lay next to her in the bed. She rose up and looked around. ~What is it?~

~We have a visitor,~ Sudan replied, ~Open the door.~

~This late?~ Michelle grabbed her robe and put it on.

~It’s important.~

Michelle opened the door to see the young guard standing in the hallway. She blinked, “ Peryite? What are you doing here? How did you find the harem? “

“ I needed to talk to someone, “ Peryite looked down at Sudan, “ And he came to me. I was in the garden and he just showed up. “

“ Come in, “ Michelle looked down at Sudan. ~What made you change your mind?~

~It’s a long story but he isn’t the one who was dangerous. It was his brother and that imposter who is masquerading as Captain Dragon.~

~Whoa! Back up! What imposter?~ Michelle’s eyes grew wide.

~Take care of the boy and I’ll tell you when he is asleep,~ Sudan walked over to his spot on the floor and laid down.

Michelle looked at Peryite, “ What did you need to talk to me about? “

Peryite looked away as tears formed in his eyes again. “ I need you to hide me, Michelle. “

“ Hide you? From what? “ Michelle took his hand in hers.

Peryite looked at her, “ I am not really a guard in Zarkon’s guard corps. I came here with bounty hunters who are looking for a girl. “

“ Bounty hunters? “ Michelle gasped. “ Oh no! You’re not the ones looking for Bekka, are you? “

“ Is she here? “ Peryite asked.

“ I can’t tell you that. “

“ I don’t care anymore. I don’t want to have anything to do with those monsters anymore. The man who hired us murdered my brother tonight and I hate him for it. I want to get away from them. “

“ Your brother? Malacath is dead? “

Peryite nodded, the tears slipping down his cheeks, “ Yes. He had an argument with our master and he killed him. “

“ Who is your master? “ Michelle looked over at Sudan. She knew he knew but she wanted Peryite to say it.

“ That is something I cannot tell you. He will surely know it was me who told you and I will be killed as well. I just want out but I don’t have anywhere to go. “

Michelle sighed, “ Alright. I’ll protect you. Sudan seems to think you are okay so you’re okay with me. Let’s get you out of that uniform and find you something to sleep in. “

“ Thank you, Michelle, “ Peryite wrapped his arms around the woman and hugged her. His youth was still evident in his actions and it was obvious he had been taken into a life he did not want.

“ In the morning, we will come up with a story to tell everyone else and I will see if you can be initiated. Your honesty has won me over and I think you will like it here, “ Michelle looked up into the young man’s eyes. “ And so help me, you had better not be lying. “

~He’s not,~ Sudan raised his head up and stared right at Michelle. ~You know an animal’s sense never lies.~

~If you say so,~ Michelle glanced over at him, ~And I want to know everything he told you.~

~I will, but you have to get him to sleep first.~

Michelle smiled, ~I can do that.~

Peryite let Michelle go and smiled sheepishly, “ I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since I hugged anyone. “

“ It’s okay. Now, let’s see if we can’t find you something to wear. “

Peryite blushed a bit (if Drules are able to do that, I am not sure), “ I usually sleep nude. “

Michelle grinned, “ Then that saves us one problem. Let’s just get you out of that uniform. “

Peryite gasped as Michelle began to unbutton the collar of his shirt. She stopped and stared at the scars that marred his throat and traveled down to his chest. She looked up at him, “ Where did you get those? “

“ I was attacked by a beast when I was fifteen. Malacath took really good care of me and made sure I lived. He didn’t know how he could go on… “ Peryite choked up again.

“ Shhh. It will be alright, “ Michelle continued to unbutton his shirt, “ You’ll make it. It will be tough for a bit but you will make it. “

Peryite looked into Michelle’s eyes, “ I know we just met and all but would it be too forward of me to ask you to hold me? I need someone’s arms around me so I don’t feel so alone right now. “

“ I understand, “ Michelle wrapped her arms around the young man who seemed like a child in so many ways. He buried his chin in her hair and began to shake as sobs racked his body. “ You can hold me as long as you need me. “

“ Thank you, “ Peryite sobbed.