Chapter Seven

Demetrius settled the pup in the corner of the stable, well away from the beastly horses who continued to eye them both in curiosity and suspicion. At least he hoped that was all they were looking at them with. He didn't see a gleam of hunger and they did have their gore-soaked oats and hay to feast on.

He adjusted the hay nearby to craft a makeshift bed for himself and slowly the horses turned their attention away from him. He wasn't an offering and nor was he going to do anything for them.

"Hardly a palace," he said aloud, smiling at the nestling puppy. "But it'll do." He tugged idly at the collar on his neck. "It will have to! And I suppose it's better than the conditions some live in. I've heard of slaves and servants living in conditions that you wouldn't allow an insect to reside in."

The pup looked up at him through squinted eyes and gave a yawn, showing the blunt stubs of what would soon be large fangs in its pale gums.

It had a lot of growing to do and hurdles to face if it was to become strong enough to take a place beside its parents.

"If I spot someone I'll ask about food for you," Demetrius sank down next to it, scratching the tiny head. "Not to mention myself. They can't starve me. I know the dead have no need of food but I'm guessing that others do. Even if they don't, the Gods themselves eat."

The pup looked at him before snuffling in the straw, wagging the tiny stub of his tail. Well, a silent companion was better than none at all, Demetrius thought with a small smile. If...no, when he got away from this place, he would take the puppy with him.

He lay back with a morose sigh. The idea of seeing the surface world and his home seemed far off. And for now he could only tow the line and make the best of things.

---

"What are you going to do with him?"

Kayana sidled around her brother's seat, dropping to her knees by his legs. She leaned against him, resting her head on his thigh.

"For now, nothing. He seems to be good with animals so that is a benefit. Most of those here have no empathy towards them and that leads to issues. I am tired of them losing limbs or having to feed them to their jaws. After all, if they cannot perform the duty I set them, what use are they?"

"No use at all." Kayana gave a sigh. "He's handsome, isn't he? A change from the grizzled dregs that the sea claims."

"Do you really think that is of any interest to me?" Karanos glanced down at her blankly. "What they look like is hardly an indication of their use. They could be as stunning as Adonis and still be a complete waste of space. In fact, I believe he was."

"Maybe. But they have other uses if you understand my meaning?"

Karanos arched an eyebrow and Kayana smiled sultrily, her hand stroking down his leg. Her nails grazed the skin in a manner that would send shivers of delight down any other.

But her brother, as always, remained stoic.

"You miss so much, ignoring the pleasure of the flesh."

"I have my music. That is enough. You know I cannot allow any futile emotions. They have no benefit as the good cannot exist without the bad. Why seek happiness when despair lurks about the corner?" Karanos wrinkled his nose at the thought. He had lost the function of his heart long ago. So long, he felt he had never even been born with it. "I am not as loose as you are. Alas, you have been tarnished with the ill traits of your mother."

"You see me as a slut?" Kayana laughed. The sound was both bitter and amused. "Oh fie, brother! I don't throw myself at any man who crawls from a gutter. I pick my targets. Is it my fault they listen too keenly to their animalistic urges? Besides, the energy I draw from them is worth more than earthly pleasure."

"I have no issue with what you do," Karanos leaned back. "I just have no interest in it either."

"I am well aware." Kayana sighed and pushed away, her attempts at igniting her brother proving useless. "But never say never. You are not infallible."

"I never said I was." Karanos got to his feet and moved to pull a cord hidden in the corner. The sound of a great bell echoed through the room, bouncing for several minutes from wall to wall.

Eventually, the sound dulled and the thud of slow footsteps replaced it.

A bulky form squeezed through the gap in the door, bowing low to reveal a bald head with a badly lacerated skull. A clear fluid pooled around the torn edges, dripping down his wrinkled skin and nestling in the creases.

"Prepare some food for our new guest. And for the dogs," Karanos ordered crisply. "Make sure the blend for the young is free of lumps and gristle. Their teeth won't cope and not will their guts. I do not want dead dogs again."

"Yes, my Lord..."

"Make sure it suitable food for the living. You know how finicky their systems are," Karanos added. "If I want him poisoned I will do it myself."

The servant grinned and showed bleeding gums and the shattered remains of what had been teeth. Before he had come here, he had been a fine sailor, well regarded by those on the shore for the skill of taming the waves and lucrative catches. Ego was a hard master though and eventually led to the other crew members turning.

Not wanting to face the consequences of his actions he agreed to serve the Lord of the depths until some of his sins had been washed away.

How long that would be was just another mystery of the dark waters.

"Out of our sight," Kayana spat, her eyes narrowing. "You offend my eyes with your face. How you earned a wife in your life I have no idea. But I suppose the money you earned afforded you that luxury."

"Sister, please." Karanos glared at her. His own disdain for the man was clear but he held back from outright rudeness.

"My apologies." Kayana's words were for him, not for the lingering servant. But, she thought, with skin as thick as the wrinkled human, she doubted her insults made much of an indent.

He certainly didn't look offended when he straightened up to back away but it was hard to tell when the creases dominated his face and sagged over his eyes.

"Don't chide me, brother," Kayana sighed, feeling his eyes burning into her. "These creatures aren't here to be pandered to. Those who do not wish the face the darkness of wandering are here to atone. And that means suffering, no?"

"Indeed. But needless insults are hardly part of that."

Silence and contempt worked far better but Kayana had her own ideas.

"Each to their own, brother. Each to their own."