Demon(#Wattys2017 Entry)

Chapter 61: Broken Heart

Gem sat in Pynax's hut, grudgingly eating the food he offered. Perhaps she should be ashamed, she thought, for she had been captured twice, and both incidents were relatively close to each other. And both, she confessed, because she'd not been paying attention, of been surprised by a larger, stronger foe. Had Guiltare but an ounce of cruelty within her, she was sure she'd be reprimanded for her recent lax judgement.

...That being said, at least this prison was somewhat more hospitable. Rather than having her limbs bound, Pynax seemed content with only the rope about her waist. And, although she'd been expecting rough treatment, Pynax treated her as though he were but an indifferent host. He was neither, nor rude, simply present.

Shira, however, was sweet towards her, seeming pleased to have a new person to speak to, and eager to show her skill with hand signals. "So, you're really the Silent Sword? That's neat!" said her hands. "How many fights have you been in!?"

Gem smiled at the wide, nearly-crimson eyes."Hmm...." She first made an 'O' with her hand, then crossed her hands in an X, then held up 4 fingers on her left hand. She then repeated the gesture, this time with 5 fingers on the right.

Shira frowned, quickly doing the math in her head. Four digits, five times...

Her eyes widened."Five thousand?" She copied the gesture."Wow, that's amazing!'

Pynax sighed and shook his head."Quit bragging to my daughter." He ordered, then ruffled the girl's short, dark hair."Dishes and bed" He signed.

Shira frowned."Do I have to?"

Pynax sighed and shooed her off. She frowned, then waved to Gem, taking her plate and going to the next room.

Pynax managed a small smile, then looked at Gem."Well, ah...Not gonna lie. Slightly worried you'd've tried to take her prisoner by now...Thanks for not doing that. It'd be a hassle."

She nodded briefly."Well, my master always says don't hurt the kids, so...may as well be entertaining."

He looked at her."...Hmph. Twisted mindset on you, either kill a guy, or be buddies. Kind of dumb really, don't see why that master would ingrain that kind of stupidity into you."

She narrowed her eyes, but he quickly continued."Yeah, yeah, no bad-mouthing the master, I get that. But still, think about it. It's summed up to cutting down anything that gets in your way, right? Well, what is something that used to be friendly gets in your way, hmm? If your master just says one day 'You can hurt kids now'. You just gonna go along with it?"

She hesitated."...She has the best interests of the army in mind." She replied.

Pynax sighed."Now see? Can't even give an answer that doesn't involve her."

Gem narrowed her eyes."Well fine, what about you? Why would you serve that guy?"

Pynax frowned."Grandmaster Thorne? Eh, no reason, really...Boredom, you could say." He stood, gently tugging the rope."C'mon, outside."

She sighed."...Boredom?"

He nodded. "Boredom. And...The power's useful." He replied, leading her into a small tent he had set up near the house.

Gem narrowed her eyes slightly."...You know, for that speech you gave the other day about me being your new partner, you could at least not lie to me."

He shook his head."Hmph. Maybe when you're actually my partner." He countered."...Any more thought on that?" He asked, tying the rope in a complex knot to a railing of his house.