"No…no. Ruto, please!" Vagris's hands slap weakly at him, shaking. His good eye widens, terror threatening to make it burst.
The knife probes skillfully, and more of his warm blood spills, mixing with the mud, and coating Ruto's hands.
Vagris's body thrashes violently, kicking, shaking, but Ruto doesn't stop.
He chuckles at Vagris's misery as he forces the cruel blade to carve deeper. . . And deeper, until it grinds against bone, and the ribs crack open with a sickening pop. Vagris sobs, his voice breaking as his fingers dig into Ruto's arms.
Ruto sneers at the tears spilling from his eyes as his pleas grow louder, more agonized.
"Ruto. . . please, STOP! I beg of you!"
How can he stop now? This is the first time Juta had requested something from him. He cannot fail a second time.
"I want your heart, your core" He whispers tauntingly "For Juta. I'll use it to earn his forgiveness for failing to protect him from you!"
