Episode 8.1 - Mak's lousy plan

This Kyle sends a shiver down my spine. All these threats against me, just so Tosa doesn't find out, whom he apparently doesn't even love.

I also don't understand why Kyle pretends to care for her when he clearly despises her. Her, a slave.

While I can't stand Tosa, I still feel sorry for her. For the game Kyle seems to be playing with her.

But for now, Mak is what matters. And I certainly don't intend to help him just like that.

***

"And how am I supposed to help you?" I inquire of Mak. My gaze is full of suspicion. I remember he mentioned it in the palace before. It sounded like he was planning something. And I doubt I'll like his plan.

"You'll see when the time comes!" he replies. The same answer he gave me in the palace. His reluctance to inform me makes me even more suspicious. Especially since I can't imagine how I could help him prevent Moriphos from starving to death.

A faint smile forms on his face, but it hardly lessens my suspicion. "If you're curious, you just need to hang around, smile nicely, and do nothing else," he explains to me.

No, even that doesn't dispel my suspicion.

"And what if I don't want to help you?" My gaze is curious as it rests on Mak. I'm eager for his response.

"There are three options in total!" he shrugs. "Either you help me. That's the least painful option. We could let him continue like this, hoping hunger will overpower his pride. The last one would be to force-feed him with the guards, and that won't be painless."

Why can't he just tell me what my part in this is? Is it really so difficult for him to involve me in his plan? But it will likely turn out as I suspect. He's planning something that I won't like and that won't be good for Moriphos either. But the alternatives don't sound pleasant either. Should I really help him? I have a bad feeling about this.

"Girl, the plan I have could fail too, but it would surely be the most pleasant way for him," says Mak.

"Okay," I finally give in.

However, if he asks something of me, I can also demand something in return, I think to myself. He can make carrying easier for me later.

"But only if you help me with something afterward," I state my condition.

Mak seems surprised at first, but then he laughs.

"I can guess what you want help with. I've heard about the mess Otscharsan made. And Gasard surely got those gluttons again as help. If you tell Akara why you need it, she'll give you a good amount right away. Only a madman would voluntarily help there!"

Doesn't sound pleasant at all. A sigh escapes my lips, my gaze drifting to the ground.

Suddenly, a hand rests on my shoulder. When I raise my gaze again, I see Mak's beautiful hazel eyes. A nice smile graces his lips.

"I don't have much to do today, so I can help you!"

I smile at him, radiant.

Now the question remains, what does he actually want from me? I still can't imagine what kind of help he needs.

I follow Mak to the familiar part of the Death Zone. This short walk to the cells. Two of the guards are standing at the exit. Unfortunately, one of them is very familiar to me. Kyle. The other, with short brown hair, brown eyes, and quite handsome, hasn't caught my attention yet.

Kyle eyes both of us, his gaze mainly on me. Warningly, with a silent threat, as I already know him. But in Mak's presence, he doesn't scare me with that. After all, the warrior once saved me from him.

Mak gestures for me to stay put, while he goes to the guards to instruct them to bring Moriphos. Supposedly, he has to go to the infirmary again. At first, they don't believe him, but after a brief confirmation, they immediately follow the instruction.

"It's nice to give orders to others!" comes a happy sigh from him.

I chuckle.

I believe him immediately.

Mak slowly approaches me. Again, I wonder what he actually plans. Especially after he stops right in front of me. His gaze scans me from top to bottom, a smile on his lips. All of this makes an uneasy feeling rise within me.

I can already imagine that I won't like his plan.

"When will you explain to me my part in this?" I demand of him.

"Patience, you'll find out soon enough!" Mak's response comes. He continues to smile at me, his hand gently stroking my cheek.

As Moriphos is led out, Mak lowers his mouth to my ear.

"Enjoy it or resist, both serve their purpose!" he whispers so softly that others can't hear, with a tone that seems amused, telling me I've made a mistake by getting involved.

Moriphos is in heavy chains. His expression seems more annoyed, but when he looks at me and Mak, an intense anger ignites in him. Immediately, he stops.