The awkward silence that followed was only disrupted by the sound of metal scraping against metal, inevitably followed by a satisfying click. Footsteps shuffling towards the wooden holding cell gave clarity to Valen's moment of confusion. He braced himself as two pairs of hands hoisted his unexpectedly light figure to his bound feet.
No words were shared in the several minutes it took for two of the whispering men to unceremoniously drag Valen out of the cell, eventually sitting him on something that must be a few meters out of earshot of the holding cell.
'They don't want the others to be able to know my answers? It seems that I underestimated this monster severely… I did not expect it to be capable of learning, having a monstrous origin. But, if that was the case… there would be little reason to separate us.'
Valen's mind was like a ship being tossed in a tumultuous and stormy sea. He had originally believed himself to be as ready as possible, consuming all possible knowledge available to him, and sharpening his decision-making skills. And still, the Path seemed to be playing with him at every turn, jerking him awake from his disillusionment.
'I cannot underestimate the abilities of these captors, it will likely be my death if I do.'
After a few minutes of silence, allowing Valen to calm down enough to prepare himself for questioning, the Guard Captain's dooming footsteps turned in Valen's direction.
"So, Valentine, Son of Agnes, is that even your real name?"
'Huh? Why would he ask that? It's not like he has the means to pro… Oh. Oh no.'
Valen's heart began to boil in his chest, making his efforts to calm down quite pointless. The cause for concern was rather dire, because Valen realized something very important about their conversation. The Guard Captain must have a method to differentiate truths from lies; Why else would he ask such a mundane question? Obviously, it was to build a foundation of truths to give the interrogator a way to ask questions that the respondent would have trouble answering truthfully.
"Yes, that is my name. I prefer to go by Valen, although Valentine was what my grandmother would call me. So I assumed that was the name I was given at birth."
Valen was not exactly fond of being interrogated by disembodied voices, it made him feel like he was losing his sanity, merely hearing voices. If it wasn't for the sun's warmth trying to worm its way through his blindfold, he would have wondered if he was even alive still.
"Interesting… Valen it is then!" The Guard Captain took a moment to consider his next line of questioning. "You see Valen, there are so many strange things about you, that I'm having a hard time figuring out where to start… So why don't you explain to me what you do?"
Valen wet his dried out lips, mentally preparing himself to tell his truths as vaguely as he could, whilst still trying to earn the Captain's trust. "Well, I used to do many things. Most of my life has been spent cleaning or providing menial labor. Eventually, I had the opportunity to begin researching history in a Grand Library far away from here… at least I believe it is far from here."
The Guard Captain was not quick to respond, taking his time to observe Valen's body language and consider his response. "What makes you believe that this 'Grand Library' is far from here?"
"Well, because it took me quite some time to leave that place altogether. Not to mention I have no understanding of where I am in regards to where I entered that 'Forest'."
"How much time did you spend leaving that place?"
"I did not keep track. I have no way of knowing."
Valen could hear the Guard Captain shifting his weight, almost as if this conversation was growing to be rather laborious for him. With the sound of armor coming to a standstill, it seemed like the man had decided that taking a seat would be best, they were going to be there for some time.
"So, you did many things, eventually became a librarian, then left. Walking for who knows how long, because you didn't keep track, only to end up in the 'Forest'?"
"Yes. That is the jist of it."
The sound of leather gloves brushing against facial stubble continued for a few minutes, neither person deciding to contribute to their lovely conversation.
"Ha. This is… difficult." The Guard Captain's sigh did not betray the atmosphere of irritation Valen could feel coming from in front of him. "Forgive me, Valen, but you honestly seem to be more of a shell than a human. Am I wrong to assume this?"
"Not entirely. Rather, you might be right, I unfortunately did not get the chance to grow up into a 'normal' person. However, I do not need to make excuses for my shortcomings, I simply must press forward."
Valen didn't exactly appreciate the Captain's comparison, but Valen knew that telling the truth was more important. Lying to defend his honor was pointless, just like every other thing that distracted him from his goal. If Valen had to empty out his humanity to achieve it, then that was what he would do. He would not allow himself to feel regret for such decisions either, he had to make his resolve unwavering to succeed. That didn't mean Valen had to simply accept the comparison either, but that would only make his current situation worse, perhaps he could even gain the Captain's pity.
"Why is that exactly? I find such a scenario rather hard to believe in this time of peace and prosperity. The Harvests are bountiful, there haven't been wars within the lifetimes of my Elders. So Valen, just what broke you so much to end up this way?"
Valen analyzed the question deeply, taking time to realize the underlying meaning of the question.
'Here it is.'
"Is it impossible for people to suffer during these times? The Harvests may be bountiful, but is scarcity the only boundary between a full belly and starvation? Are wars the only means to rob us of our loved ones? Forgive me Captain, but I think you have grown up in a rather hospitable place, in a forgiving environment. I did not have such luxuries. I had to learn to survive on my own from a young age. I made the sacrifices I deemed necessary, and perhaps those sacrifices have changed me fundamentally." Valen took a deep breath to soothe his shaky voice, "Perhaps I broke myself. Afterall, I am here on my own accord, as a consequence of my own actions and shortcomings."
Valen desperately wished he could see the Captain's expression.
'C'mon, you gotta buy that… right? I mean, my acting skills aren't good by any means, but that little show had to drive deep enough. Surely…'
The silence was palpable, like it could only be cut by the sharpest of blades. Valen did not know the Guard Captain's reaction to his response, it seemed the young man had a firm grip on himself, not easily shaken or swayed. He wondered if his expression was grim or soft, pitiful or hateful, solemn or surprised. He wished he could rip off his blindfold, just to satiate his rampant curiosity.
"Well Valen, quite the poignant response. It seems I have some things to consider." The rustling of leather and plate armor indicated the man's rising to his feet. "I will consider whether to release you after I have examined the remaining captives. You will stay seated here until then, Understood?"
"Ah, yes sir."
As Valen took a deep breath, the strides of the armored man in front of him could be heard moving away from him, as if they were disregarding his existence in the first place.
'Whew, that could have gone much worse. Thankfully, the Captain didn't seem to press into any lines of questioning too deeply. It almost makes me wonder about what this monster is really like…'
[What Monster?]
The voice seemed to ring inside Valen's mind, echoing in the halls of his mental library. His body froze, immediately tensing at the sound of the unknown voice. Valen listened deeper, trying to hear the faint breaths of those who could be near him.
'There is no one near me?'
Baffled, confused, and tense, Valen sat in the silence of his lone seat in the morning sun. He was as still as if he had been petrified, yet he did not respond to the question that had snaked its way into his ears.
'Ah, maybe I am hearing things. Afterall, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Most people that have gone through severe mental attacks tend to list Auditory Hallucinations as a common after-effect. I guess this is what I get for not taking any time to sleep…'
Deciding to move on from the hallucination, Valen had decided that it was probably going to be a good time to take a nap. There were at least five more people to interrogate, six if that poor fellow pulled through. Seeing as Valen had already given information up on himself, the others were likely going to take more time. Afterall, who could resist falling asleep in the warmth of this benevolent sunlight?
"Valentine, Son of Agnes." The First Voice disrupted Valen as he began to stretch himself out over the top of his seat, which he quickly realized was a long stripped log of some sort.
'Man, What next! Are they gonna play 'Good Cop, Bad Cop'? I don't have the energy to play their games…'
"Ah, Yes?" The half-sprawled out youth responded, lathered in annoyance.
"You said that your native tongue is different from ours, the Captain was wondering if you could recognize the language that the others we found spoke."
'Hm, I guess it is a reasonable request and assumption.'
"I could possibly, however, I would like for these bindings to be removed in that case."
The First Voice considered it, then the sound of a sharp blade being drawn from a sheath caused Valen to flinch.
'Damn, I didn't think he would give in that fast.'
"The Blindfold cannot be removed until the Captain gives the order. I can remove the bindings on your wrists and ankles until then." The First Voice paused for a moment, "Just don't touch the blindfold, or you will lose your sight entirely. No one will be able to return it to you."
"I would never." Valen muttered under his breath, cursing the situation he found himself in.
'Good thing I didn't try to escape, only the gods know what strange curses these damn bindings carry.'
Laying on his side, Valen patiently waited as the First Whispering Man drew closer, and began to saw away at the bindings. Valen was intrigued by the sheer amount of time it took for the man to cut away a single rope from his wrists, concluding that the mystical properties of his bindings were far out of his depth, escape had never been an option to begin with. After a handful of minutes, and working up quite a sweat, the Whispering Man finally rose. Valen took some time to rub his wrists. After stumbling to his feet, the Whispering man began guiding him back to the cell, ending up right next to the Guard Captain.
"How kind of you to provide your assistance, Valen." The Captain's voice was laced with sarcasm, but lacked any hints of animosity, so Valen didn't mind it much.
"It is the responsibility of those who know to help those who don't. However, I cannot guarantee I can translate. Afterall, there are many lost languages out in the hidden crevices of the world."
"Indeed, It would seem people pop out of nowhere these days." Valen could hear a smirk grow on the Captain's face as he responded. "Well, let us start with… the boy in that rather stylish tunic. Errin, if you could…"
The one named Errin shuffled his way into the small door of the holding cell, dragging the boy in the tunic to his feet, and guiding him out of the cell. Allowing the boy to find his bearings as he placed him a few meters away from the cell, on the well-trodden dirt.
"Speak" The Third Whispering Man commanded, giving the boy a slight nudge as he did so.
The Boy was quiet in confusion, not providing any auditory clues for Valen to decipher. It was only when the Third Voice, seemingly named Errin, prompted the boy to speak again that Valen learned something.
"Ah. I'm sorry, but I do not know what you are saying… Just what language is this even?"
Valen's face drained of all color as he felt himself losing his balance. Valen was normally good at remaining composed, even if it was just an act or a facade. His face wasn't very expressive, and his body language left many in confusion. But in that moment, It all collapsed, like he had been struck at the core of his soul.
'N-not p-possible… It's… It's far too early! Not that it should even be likely to begin with… B-but, I was so sure! Everything was pointing to me being right… So how? How am I hearing this right now?!'
"Valen? Are you not familiar with the language?" The Captain's tone was imperceptible to Valen at the time, he was far too shocked and rattled to care about such a miniscule detail.
"A-Ah. Its-Um. Well I am very familiar with it. I just wasn't ready for it. W-What would you like to ask first?"
"Hm… Let's not make it too complicated, how about… His name?"
Valen nodded, the question was rather valuable for him too, so asking it wouldn't complicate things too much. Clearing his throat, and changing his manner of tone, Valen asked the boy: "They wish to know your name, what is it?"
Valen could not see the Boy's expression, but the Captain and Errin could. They saw a myriad of emotions displayed on the Boy's blindfolded face. First, he was relaxed, presuming because he found someone who could understand him. Then, Confusion, as if that language should not be found in this place. Finally, The Boy was mortified, and that was part that confused the two.
The Captain was rather sure that Valen was not possessed or enthralled by those horrendous fiends that hid in the forest. However, he found the Boy's reaction concerning, mainly due to its unexpectedness. Seeds of doubt began to worm their way into his mind as he turned to give Valen a precarious look.
Valen simply repeated the question, he knew the boy was likely shocked, but that could wait. He needed clues, he needed any piece of information he could get his hands on. The only problem was that he needed to hide those hints from the Captain, which would only make things more difficult.
"Uh-I. What is-..." The Boy took a deep breath to steady himself, finally uttering under his breath, "Cairo. My name is Cairo, Son of Altan and Bram."